DDMA Leh conducts mock drill

LEH, JUNE 18: District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Leh in collaboration with J&K Police, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, ITBP, BRO, CRPF and other agencies conducted a mock drill on disaster preparedness at Emergency Command Centre (ECC) near Council Secretariat Leh.

Four relief camps were also set at different locations of the town including Food Craft Institute Takski Thang, Government Girls Higher Secondary School Leh, Elizer Joldan Memorial College Leh, and Community Centre Tashi Thongsmon Choglamsar.

Chairman DDMA/ District Magistrate Leh Avny Lavasa addressing a meeting of all stakeholders at Conference Hall of National Informatics Centre at LREDA office complex said the purpose of conducting these exercises is to keep a check on the emergency services. Such meetings also help in getting acquaintance among nodal officers which in turn proves instrumental in acting proactively by giving full coordination during any eventuality or disaster. Such exercises help to know about the functioning, requirement of the setups, added Lavasa.

The civil helipad at the banks of Sindhu Ghat is also designated for emergency use in case of emergency. Lavasa further said that similar helipads at Diskit, Turtuk, Durbuk, and Nyoma are in process of becoming fully functional so that they can also be used during any natural catastrophe.

She gave directions to all the SDMs for similar exercises to be conducted in their respective sub-divisions on designated dates of Kharu on 22^nd June, Khaltse on 25^th June, Saspol and Likir on 27^th June, Nubra on 7^th July, Tangtse on 14^th July and Nyoma on 17^th July. 

Assistant District Magistrate Leh Moses Kunzang and District Informatics Centre Officer Paldan gave a detailed account of availability of communication, internet connectivity, and other necessary requirements at the ECC centre to bring into use during disasters. The meeting was informed that the ECC also has a wireless set up connected to each camp and a media centre for single line information dissemination ensuring accuracy and accountability. 

In the event of disaster the District Magistrate, SSP, representatives of hill council, district officers, Indian Army, Air Force, BRO, ITBP, etc shall assemble at the ECC which will thereafter serve as the nodal point for decision making, communication and coordination of various efforts towards disaster rescue, relief and rehabilitation.

Tools and machines were on display at the ECC complex to be used during any kind of disaster by SDRF.

Later, the entire team headed by chairman DDMA visited the four camps designated under the command of officers of respective departments and inspected the availability of shelter, drinking water, electricity, toilet facility and other required essential commodities. A mock drill in which an injured person was carried in an ambulance and then first required medical action was conducted at EJM College Leh.