In Ladakh, a mock disaster management exercise on earthquake, cloudburst and glacial lake outburst flood was conducted at different locations in Kargil yesterday. This is the fourth consecutive year that such a drill was organised by the Union Territory of Ladakh in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

The exercise was virtually monitored by NDMA Consultant Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Sudhir Bahl and led on the ground by Deputy Commissioner Kargil Rakesh Kumar, SSP Shree Raam R., and ADC Imteeaz Kacho.

The mock drill began with a simulated earthquake at Government Degree College Kargil. Incident sites were also set up at the District Industries Centre near Hussaini Park, the District Hospital Kargil, Titichhumik Baroo for a landslide, Ringmospang Baroo for a cloudburst and GLOF, and the Indian Oil Corporation Depot for a night fire incident. A Relief Camp was established at the RDD Building, Kurbathang, while the Staging Area and Commander Post were set up near the Council Secretariat, Kurbathang.

Demonstrations on fire extinguishing, CPR training, evacuation, and rescue drills were conducted at these locations with the participation of UTDRF, Municipal Committee Kargil, Health, Tourism, PHE, PDD, Mechanical, R&B, School and Higher Education Departments, GREF, Army, BRO, Al-Reza Foundation, Baseej-e-Imam volunteers, and several other organisations.

The District Disaster Management Authority Kargil appreciated the coordinated efforts of all departments, agencies, and volunteers, and stressed the need for continuous preparedness to tackle real-life disasters effectively.