Mock drills on earthquake preparedness conducted across Hry

Mock drills on earthquake were conducted at 122 locations across Haryana today to sensitise people about measures to be taken during the natural calamity.
The exercise was conducted in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and all state districts, Haryana Civil Secretariat and New Secretariat participated, Haryana Revenue and Disaster Management minister Capt Abhimanyu said.
He said the state falls in high seismic zone and the region was highly vulnerable to earthquakes.
The exercise simulated an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale with MSK intensity 8 having its epicentre at west of Gurugram along the Jaipur ridge and the Sohna Fault line, said an official release.

Abhimanyu said the mock drills were conducted in 122 locations across 22 districts, simultaneously.
It is for the first time in Haryana's history when the government had exercised the mock drill to such a big level, he said.

A total 136 teams were deployed in the districts for response, which consisted of district machinery and central agencies. Based on assumption, the total number of casualties identified in this mega mock exercise is 257 and injured are 1,717, the statement said.
Chief minister, chief secretary, officers of district administration and central agencies have collectively made efforts for success of the exercise, it said.

The deputy commissioners have been directed to follow-up the exercise for 10 days so as to ascertain the additional requirements of equipments and other needs, Abhimanyu said.
All occupants of the designated buildings conducted the duck, cover and hold activity, followed by evacuation drills in schools, offices, residential complexes, shopping complexes, hospitals and major hazardous units in the state, he said.
Telecom services, electricity and water supply were gradually restored by departments concerned. Certain districts used drones to assess damage to initiated effective response, the minister said.
Speaking on the occasion, advisor to the NDRF, Maj General(Retd.) V K Dutta said that as many as six teams from Army, eight from the NDRF and two each from the CRPF, NSG and ITBP were deployed in the districts for assistance during the exercise.