A statewide mock drill as part of disaster preparedness will be held at 60 locations across Tripura
Agartala (Tripura), July 8: In the backdrop of relentless monsoon rains and rising concerns in several regions – particularly in South Tripura – the state is preparing to conduct a statewide mock drill as part of disaster preparedness.
Scheduled for July 9, 2025, this full-scale mock exercise will take place at nearly 60 locations across Tripura and aims to replicate real-life crisis situations involving floods, landslides, and the emergency evacuation of vulnerable communities.
This statewide simulation comes at a crucial time, with heavy rainfall battering several areas, highlighting the need for heightened readiness and coordination among disaster response agencies.
As a prelude to the mock exercise, the Tripura Disaster Management Authority (TDMA) organized an intensive Table Top Exercise today at Conference Hall No. II in the State Secretariat, Agartala. According to an official release from the Revenue Department, this preparatory session was designed to bolster the disaster response framework across departments ahead of tomorrow’s drill.
The initiative aligns with the directive of Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, who emphasized the importance of monsoon preparedness to mitigate the impact of potential natural disasters.
The Table Top Exercise saw the participation of key officials, including Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey, and Secretary of PWD and Health Kiran Gitte. Members of the Incident Response System (IRS), along with representatives from the Army, Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF, NDRF, SDRF, and various line departments and central agencies, also took part. District Magistrates and Collectors, along with district-level officials, joined virtually to contribute to the state’s strategic planning.
Retired Major General Sudhir Bahl, Lead Consultant from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), guided the session. Through carefully crafted simulations, he tested the participants’ response capabilities by introducing evolving disaster scenarios involving floods and landslides.
Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, in his inaugural address, stressed that such exercises are vital not for fault-finding but as powerful tools for learning and strengthening coordination among stakeholders. He noted that the primary objective is to ensure an efficient and effective response during real-life emergencies.
District authorities presented their preparedness plans for worst-case scenarios, underlining the urgency of enhancing coordination with armed forces, paramilitary personnel, and civil society organizations to strengthen local-level disaster responses.
Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd), Member of NDMA, joined the proceedings virtually from New Delhi. He commended the proactive approach taken by the state—especially the Revenue Department—and urged continued efforts to address the specific needs of vulnerable groups such as women, children, the sick, and veterans. He also emphasized the significance of implementing the Prime Minister’s 10-point agenda on disaster risk reduction.
In a concluding note, Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey extended his gratitude to all participating agencies and urged the public not to panic during tomorrow’s drill. He called on citizens to actively cooperate, emphasizing that community involvement is vital to strengthening the state’s overall disaster readiness.
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With the successful completion of today’s coordination exercise and the state bracing for a widespread simulation tomorrow, Tripura has once again demonstrated its strong commitment to safeguarding lives and enhancing its disaster management infrastructure.
