Mock drill on earthquake, landslide response held at Keylong
A mock drill simulating an earthquake and landslide scenario was organised in Keylong on Friday under the District Disaster Management Authority of Lahaul-Spiti. The drill aimed to assess the preparedness and coordination of various agencies in managing disaster situations in Lahaul and Spiti district.
Two distinct scenarios were created during the drill. The first involved a building collapse due to an earthquake at the Old Police Line, trapping six people inside. The second scenario simulated a landslide in the Shaks Nullah, which disrupted road, electricity, and water supply, and resulted in four injured people.
As part of the drill, teams from the NDRF, Police, Civil Defence, Health, Jal Shakti, Home Guards, Public Works, Electricity Board, and Revenue Department worked together to conduct rescue operations and restore essential services.
In the first scenario, at 11 AM, the administration received information about six people trapped in a damaged building after an earthquake. The District Administration immediately dispatched teams from Police, Civil Defence, and Medical services. Given the complexity of the situation, the NDRF team was called in for assistance. The teams rescued two deceased individuals and four injured people, with two of the injured sent to the regional hospital and two receiving on-site medical care. The families of the deceased were provided an immediate financial relief of Rs. 25,000 each.
The second scenario involved a landslide in Shaks Nullah, which disrupted road and utility services. Teams from Civil Defence, Police, Public Works, Jal Shakti, and Health Departments worked to quickly restore the road and services. Three individuals were injured, with two seriously injured being taken to the Keylong hospital, while one was treated on-site.
SDM Keylong and Incident Commander Rajneesh Sharma, who led the mock drill, emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts during disaster response. He noted that the drill helped assess preparedness, response time, and coordination among departments. Sharma also highlighted the role of the Incident Response System in managing disasters effectively.
