Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 14 June 2025
In line with the Chief Secretary’s directive for quarterly mock drills across departments, the Directorate of Disaster Management, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, successfully conducted a large-scale mock drill simulating an earthquake followed by a fire outbreak at the Inter-Island Helicopter Terminal, Directorate of Civil Aviation, Sri Vijaya Puram.
The mock exercise, held on 13th June 2025, aimed to assess real-time disaster preparedness, evaluate inter-departmental coordination, and test emergency response mechanisms under simulated crisis conditions. It was organized in close coordination with the Directorate of Health Services, A&N Police Fire Services, and the District Administration.
The drill began with a simulated earthquake, which triggered structural damage and led to a fire in a designated area of the terminal. Fire and Emergency Services teams responded swiftly, deploying fire tenders to control the blaze, while Search and Rescue (SAR) teams conducted immediate evacuation and rescue operations. Injured individuals received prompt first aid at the site.
Personnel from the Directorate of Civil Aviation, technical team of Pawan Hans Ltd., A&N Police Security staff, and IRBN actively participated in the drill, contributing to its seamless execution.
Following the exercise, a debriefing session was held under the leadership of the Incident Commander. Observers from participating departments reviewed the operation, praised the teams for following standard operating procedures, and provided constructive feedback. The session also identified areas for improvement and offered key recommendations to enhance future emergency preparedness and response capabilities.