Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 4: An Inter-State Mock Disaster Management Exercise (ISME-2025) Earthquake & Tsunami was conducted today by the Directorate of Disaster Management, A&N Administration, in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), New Delhi, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), District Administrations and other Emergency Support Functionaries (ESFs) of the A&N Islands. The exercise simulated an earthquake followed by a tsunami scenario.
The objective of the exercise was to test the Incident Response System (IRS) and assess the level of preparedness of all stakeholders in the A&N Islands. ISME-2025 commenced with the detection of an earthquake by INCOIS at 8:45 AM, followed by the issuance of a tsunami alert to local authorities at 8:46 AM from INCOIS, Hyderabad, to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) at Aapda Prabandhan Bhawan, Sri Vijaya Puram.
During the exercise, tsunami sirens were activated across the entire UT of A&N Islands. Alerts and warnings were issued, and Incident Response Teams (IRTs) carried out operations at identified incident sites. Search and Rescue (SAR) teams were deployed by the District Administrations, with assistance from the A&N Command and NDRF for rescue and evacuation operations. Various departments, including Police, APWD, Shipping, Controller of Ports, PBMC, Education, and others, were engaged in different tasks.
With the help of the A&N Command, aerial surveys and airdropping operations were conducted over low-lying and inundated areas in North & Middle Andaman and Nicobar districts. All key activities such as evacuation, search and rescue, medical support, setting up of relief shelters, use of equipment and materials, provision of relief, transport arrangements (air/ship/road), and deployment of personnel, volunteers, and NGOs were successfully executed to manage the simulated earthquake and tsunami scenario.
A dedicated Command and Control Centre was established at the Conference Room of Aapda Prabandhan Bhawan, Sri Vijaya Puram. All communications were coordinated through the State Emergency Operation Centre as well as District EOCs. Ms. Purva Garg, IAS, Secretary (Disaster Management), A&N Administration, along with Shri Rakesh Das, Director (Disaster Management), and Comdt. (Retd.) Aditya Kumar, Senior Consultant, NDMA, New Delhi, monitored the Inter-State Level Mock Exercise from the Situation Room of the Directorate of Disaster Management.
Officials from the Situation Room also interacted virtually through video conferencing with officials of districts and ESFs across different islands to assess their alertness, response, and preparedness in handling disaster situations. Hotlines, satellite phones, and VHF sets were utilized as alternate channels of communication with districts and other EOC in-charges. Requirements for manpower and materials were received from simulation sites, and immediate orders were issued to line departments for necessary deployment. Requests for additional equipment and emergency support were also sent to the A&N Command and NDRF.
In South Andaman, the mock drill was conducted in the Tehsils of Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep, and Little Andaman, covering identified locations such as Flag Point, JNRM, Girls School, Bambooflat Jetty to Old Surya Chakra Power House, Junglighat Jetty, Swaraj Dweep, and Little Andaman. In similar manner, Mock Exercise was also conducted in various locations of N&M Andaman and Nicobar Districts.
Comdt. (Retd.) Aditya Kumar, Senior Consultant, NDMA, New Delhi, along with officials, visited several sites in the city to assess the functioning of the Incident Response System and evaluate the preparedness and response levels of Incident Commanders to handle any eventuality. The exercise focused on the effectiveness of information dissemination, alert and warning systems, and the timely response of IRTs to save lives and property. The exercise concluded with an “All Clear” message issued from SEOC to all EOCs and stakeholders.
A debriefing session was later held in the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Disaster Management under the chairmanship of Ms. Chanchal Yadav, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Disaster Management), A&N Administration. During the session, activities carried out during the exercise by the District Administrations, line departments, A&N Command, NDRF, INCOIS, Incident Commanders, and observers were comprehensively reviewed, and feedback was taken from all stakeholders.
Comdt. (Retd.) Aditya Kumar identified gaps and key areas requiring attention from the Administration. He appreciated the efforts of all IRTs, District Administrations, NDRF, ANC, and other stakeholders for the successful completion of the exercise. He emphasized the need for conducting such exercises regularly in the A&N Islands. Expressing satisfaction over the preparedness level of the UT, he stressed that the Administration should work on lessons learned from this exercise.
In her closing remarks, the Commissioner-cum Secretary, A&N Administration, Ms. Chanchal Yadav expressed happiness over the effective coordination among all participating agencies and noted that performance had improved compared to the last mock exercise. She appreciated the NDMA for executing the exercise with the cooperation of line departments and the A&N Command. She assured that the gaps pointed out by NDMA would be addressed and necessary measures would be taken to strengthen disaster management mechanisms in the A&N Islands.
The Commissioner-cum-Secretary also highlighted that the Administration had successfully generated widespread public awareness about the exercise. She thanked the A&N Command, Indian Navy, Coast Guard, District Administrations and all departments for their wholehearted support in ensuring the successful conduct of ISME-2025. She further emphasized the need for enhanced coordination among all departments and agencies for better preparedness to tackle any potential disaster in the future.