Sri Vijaya Puram, June 9: In a significant step towards enhancing disaster preparedness, the Directorate of Art & Culture, A&N Administration, in collaboration with the Directorate of Disaster Management, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and other key Departments of the Administration, successfully conducted a mock drill at the historic National Memorial Cellular Jail today.
The exercise simulated a real time earthquake and fire emergency scenario to evaluate the disaster response capabilities, response mechanisms, improve coordination among agencies, and ensure the safety of visitors/tourists and staff in the event of a real disaster.
Tourists present at the site were informed in advance to avoid panic during the drill. The exercise witnessed active participation from multiple Departments, demonstrating swift and coordinated emergency response efforts.
Following the drill, a de-briefing session was held, where representatives from participating agencies shared observations and provided valuable suggestions to further strengthen disaster management strategies to be adopted by the Art & Culture Department. The session was led by the Director of Art & Culture, Ms Priyanka Kumari, who served as the Incident Commander, overseeing the execution of the drill and the review process.
A table top exercise in this regard was also conducted on June 6, 2025, which was participated by all line Departments. The initiative underscores the commitment of the Administration to disaster preparedness and public safety, ensuring that all stakeholders remain equipped to handle emergencies effectively.