Patna: Bihar successfully concluded a two-day earthquake mock exercise on Thursday, highlighting the importance of preparation and coordination in disaster management. The program was organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), New Delhi, and the Disaster Management Department of Bihar. Chief Secretary Pratyay Amrit reviewed the exercises at Sardar Patel Bhawan and stressed that all departments must work together to be ready for any kind of disaster. He said that disasters can happen at any time, so planning in advance and coordinating effectively is crucial to saving lives and providing relief quickly.
The Chief Secretary also urged officials to hold such awareness programs regularly to ensure that both teams and the public are prepared. Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh, Secretary of the Disaster Management Department, said that keeping an updated list of emergency resources is essential. He called for strong communication systems, ready medical services, and a well-prepared ambulance network to ensure that all teams can act quickly during an emergency. These measures, he explained, would help handle even the largest disasters efficiently.
Dr. Uday Kant Mishra, Vice Chairman of the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority, highlighted that earlier initiatives such as “Earthquake Week” were extended to “Earthquake Fortnight” to spread awareness widely across communities. Major General Sudhir Bahl of the NDMA explained that scientific use of resources and clear communication are key to fast and effective rescue operations. He also emphasised the role of the police in crowd management, traffic control, and sharing information quickly with the public. Radio communication, he noted, remains a reliable tool during disasters, and prior planning using realistic scenarios is vital.
The mock drill included representatives from many departments and forces, such as the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, India Meteorological Department, Civil Defence, Fire Service, Home, Health, Transport, Water Resources, and others. Central security forces including the Sashastra Seema Bal, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, along with the Indian Army and Air Force, also took part. Officials from neighboring states’ disaster response teams participated too. Joint Secretary Md. Nadeemul Gaffar Siddiqui thanked everyone for their efforts and said such exercises would help improve coordination and make Bihar more prepared for any future disasters.
