Joint Mock Drill Exercise conducted by NDRF commences at Kishtwar, NDRF conducts maiden Table Top Exercise on earthquake

Kishtwar, 16 March.

The two days Joint Mock Drill Exercise started today here at the DC office complex Kishtwar under the overall supervision of Chairman, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Kishtwar, Sh. Ashok Sharma (JKAS). On the first day of the exercise, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) conducted its maiden Table Top Exercise (TEDx) with the stakeholders on earthquake and landslide in the presence of Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC), Kishtwar Sh. Sham Lal (JKAS) here at the Conference Hall DC office complex Kishtwar. It involved various stakeholders, including Police, UTDRF/ Civil Defense, Armed forces, Red Cross and NGOs.

Assistant Commandant, 13th Battalion, NDRF, Javeed Iqbal gave a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the structure and role of NDRF in India, its abilities, the list of machines used for dealing with all types of natural and man-made disasters, etc. Javeed Iqbal stressed the need for coordination among the stakeholders during a disaster to reduce response time for rescue measures as District Kishtwar is located under level IV and V earthquake seismic zones.

Heads of different stakeholders responded to the queries developed by the NDRF during the meeting. A mock exercise would be conducted tomorrow at the DC office Complex at 11:00 AM by the NDRF team to sensitize stakeholders with the preparedness of the mechanisms at the time of an earthquake. The meeting also deliberated on key points, including, satellite phone, helipads, medial infrastructure and response team, hygiene and sanitation, drinking water supply, the role of media, awareness, and training to effectively tackle the unprecedented disaster in the district.

Among others who remained present were Account Officer DC office Kishtwar Imran Ahmed Kichloo (JKAS), ASI UTDRF, Secretary Red Cross Kishtwar Asgar Sheikh besides others.