A District Level Mega Mock Drill was held today at Champhai town under the observation of Mr. Shivajee Singh, Senior Consultant (NDRF), National Disaster Management Autority. This Mock Drill was performed with the storyline that a 7 magnitude earthquake has struck the district.

After a briefing by Mr. Shivajee Singh, the Mock Drill started at 11 AM, after which a debriefing session was held at Circuit House Conference Hall with all stakeholders in the drill present, and reports of selected site observers were analysed and discussed.

In todays Mock Drill, Champhai Circuit House was the designated Staging Area, with Planning, Logistics and Operations Sections set up. With two road blockades at Kanan and IB Veng to Dawrkai Kawn road due to earthquake induced landslide, and two collapsed building at CHANEM building and GM Hr. Sec. School, the response force were deployed and all teams from the State Disaster Response Force, Champhai Police, PWD, P&ED, PHED, District Hospital, Village Council and YMA members perform their respective roles at the disaster sites. A make-shift hospital was constructed at GM Hr. Sec. School, and Champhai Sports & Youth Services (Adventure Wing) demonstrated a high rise building rescue /evacuation at CHANEM building. An observer was placed at each site to record the performances.

In the debriefing session, Mr. Singh commented on the need of disaster preparedness, especially for a far flung district like Champhai which is almost 200km from the State capital. He also emphasized the importance of raising public awareness on the issue as well as regular exercises among responsible parties as indicated in the District Disaster Management Plan.

Mr. Singh also talked of the importance of involving NGOs in such preparation. Mizoram is very fortunate to have an active NGO like Young Mizoram Association which can act as responsible first responders in any disaster scenario he commented.