Port Blair, Aug. 21: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), GoI, New Delhi and A&N Administration has proposed to conduct State Level Mock Exercise (SLME) -2024 on Earthquake & Tsunami in A&N Islands on Aug. 30, 2024 to test Incident Response System (IRS), evaluate readiness for unexpected situations, etc. in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
To review the preparatory activities of A&N Islands for the said exercise, an Orientation and Coordination Conference was held yesterday under the Chairmanship of Secretary (DM) with NDMA, INCOIS, NDRF, ANC, District Administrations and all stakeholders of A&N Islands.
The Secretary (DM) A&N Administration, Shri A.S.P.S. Raviprakash, IAS, briefed about the objectives of SLME and took stock of disaster preparedness of A&N Islands. He also illustrated about the crucial preparations which were required to mitigate the worst scenario after occurrence of a natural disaster. Further, he emphasized on the importance of awareness, preparedness and mitigation efforts with regard to Disaster Management and urged the District Administrations, Incident Response Teams and Stakeholders to ensure active participation in the said exercise and make all necessary arrangements for smooth conduct of SLME – 2024.
The Director (DM), Shri Azharuddin Zahiruddin Quazi,IAS, welcomed the participants and explained them about the present preparatory activities for SLME – 2024 and emphasized the active participation and response of all the stakeholders in the SLME- 2024 as per their roles and responsibilities to manage disasters in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Comdt. Aditya Kumar (Retd.), Sr. Consultant/EX Coordinator, NDMA during his presentation explained about the importance of conducting the SLME–2024 and sought preparatory activities to be completed by concerned Emergency Support Functionaries (ESFs) of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. He also stressed on the community participation in the SLME-2024 to build their capacity to tackle and manage disasters in golden hours.
