Rohit Kumar
Sri Vijaya Puram, 10 June 2025
In a proactive move to strengthen disaster preparedness, the Directorate of Art & Culture, A&N Administration, in collaboration with the Directorate of Disaster Management, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and other key departments, conducted a large-scale mock drill at the iconic National Memorial Cellular Jail on June 9, 2025.
The drill simulated an earthquake followed by a fire emergency to assess real-time disaster response capabilities, enhance coordination among various agencies, and ensure the safety of tourists and staff during potential emergencies.
To prevent panic, tourists at the site were informed about the mock exercise in advance. The event saw the active participation of multiple departments, who demonstrated swift and coordinated action in responding to the simulated crisis.
Following the drill, a de-briefing session was held where representatives from participating agencies discussed key observations and offered suggestions to further strengthen the disaster management strategies of the Art & Culture Department. The session was led by Ms. Priyanka Kumari, Director of Art & Culture, who also served as the Incident Commander overseeing the entire operation.
Ahead of the mock drill, a tabletop exercise was conducted on June 6, 2025, with the participation of all line departments to plan and align their response protocols.
According to a press release issued by the Directorate of Art & Culture, the initiative reflects the Administration’s firm commitment to public safety and disaster readiness, ensuring that all stakeholders are well-equipped to respond effectively to emergencies.