A multi-agency emergency preparedness drill is being conducted daily over the next six days to train civilians and response teams for a range of crisis situations. Officials from Civil Defence confirmed that the exercise will unfold in phases, with citizens likely to face planned power blackouts. To prevent panic, district and municipal control rooms have been placed on alert to coordinate responses if needed.
To strengthen inter-agency coordination during emergencies and potential conflict scenarios, the government has recognized the need for a centralized communication system and is preparing to launch a dedicated hotline. Civil Defence officials said the drill served as a vital simulation, helping teams understand the precise level of coordination required. They reported an average response time of 3.3 minutes from alert to action—deemed satisfactory for such operations.
A senior official from the Department of Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation (DMR&R) added, “There are 22 trained operators at the State Emergency Operations Centre working with detailed SOPs to manage citizen calls and coordinate effectively. This exercise has highlighted the critical role of joint preparedness—not just among emergency personnel, but among civilians too.”
The DMR&R noted that no real emergencies were reported during the first day of the drill but emphasized that the insights gained will significantly aid future response planning.
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