PANAJI
The State agencies supported by National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) conducted a tabletop exercise in both districts to review the preparedness of the administration to tackle floods and cyclones.
The stakeholders, including Indian Navy, conducted rescue operations during the mock drill exercise at vulnerable locations and the shelter homes, wherein the response time and gaps in the response system were examined.
The coastal belt among other crowded places including Caranzalem beach, Dona Paula and Goa University road, etc witnessed mock drills during which mock sirens were also blown. The State government had already alerted citizens to not panic as the day-long mock drill was scheduled on Friday.
The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) early Friday morning sent SMS alerts to the citizens informing them about the drill.
“This is a test SMS Alert issued by Goa SDMA from Integrated CAP platform as part of State Mock Exercise on Cyclones being conducted today by Goa SDMA in collaboration with NDMA…” the text message read.
North District Collector Mamu Hage briefed the media about the elaborate arrangements taken up during the exercise wherein choppers were also used to conduct mock rescue operations. “These drills will help to intensify planning for any such natural disasters,” she said.
The NDRF’s 5th battalion in Pune, having Goa and Maharashtra as its area of responsibility, had sent two teams of 50 members each to Goa with the equipment. The experts also imparted training to the line departments and related stakeholders on its use, before the exercise on Friday. Two trained rescue dogs were also a crucial part of the mock drill.
