Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 26 February 2025
In line with the directive of the Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, to conduct quarterly mock drills across all departments, the Directorate of Disaster Management organised a mock drill at the Directorate of Fisheries on February 25, 2025. This was the fifth such exercise aimed at assessing the department’s preparedness and response to potential disasters, specifically earthquakes and tsunamis.
The drill simulated real-time earthquake and tsunami scenarios to test the department’s emergency protocols. Officials and staff of the Fisheries Department, along with response teams from various resource departments, including the District Administration, A&N Police, Health Department, Fire Services, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Electricity Department, actively participated in the exercise.
A public address system was used to issue alerts and warnings. Upon receiving the simulated earthquake and tsunami alert, the staff immediately followed the “Duck, Cover & Hold” safety protocol. After two minutes, they proceeded to evacuate towards a designated safe area.
The Incident Commander of the Fisheries Department coordinated with resource agencies, including the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC), District Emergency Operation Center (DEOC) (South Andaman), Fire Services, Police, Electricity, and Health Departments, for support. NDRF personnel, fire tenders, and ambulances swiftly arrived at the site, conducting search and rescue operations and providing emergency medical assistance.
Once all emergency response steps were executed, the Incident Commander issued an “all-clear” signal, marking the conclusion of the drill. A debriefing session followed, where officials reviewed the findings, discussed observed gaps, and deliberated on areas for improvement. Officers from resource departments were urged to enhance preparedness levels and conduct basic life-saving training for staff to strengthen emergency response capabilities.
Such mock drills are part of the Administration’s ongoing efforts to ensure the readiness of departments to handle real-life disasters effectively and minimise risks to life and property.