 Early Times Report
CHANDIGARH, May 14: Haryana today conducted a first state-level flood mock drill simultaneously across 13 flood-prone districts to strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response systems ahead of the monsoon season. The exercise was aimed at drawing lessons from the floods witnessed in 2023 and 2025 and strengthening Haryana's preparedness-based disaster management framework. Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Disaster Management, Dr. Sumita Misra, leads the entire exercise from the State Control Room in her capacity as State Incident Commander.
The mock drill was conducted in Gurugram, Ambala, Faridabad, Fatehabad, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, Panipat, Palwal, Sirsa, Sonipat and Yamunanagar, which have been identified as high flood-risk districts. Two separate simulation sites were identified in each district to test response mechanisms under realistic flood scenarios. Dr. Sumita Misra said the exercise was conducted to evaluate the state's disaster preparedness systems, improve inter-departmental coordination, validate emergency response mechanisms and identify gaps requiring further improvement. She said the Haryana Government is committed to developing a proactive, technology-driven and community-centred disaster management system capable of responding swiftly during emergencies.
The exercise was conducted in three phases. The first phase involved an Orientation and Coordination Conference held through video conferencing on May 6, followed by a Table Top Exercise on May 12 to review response scenarios, communication protocols and preparedness plans. The final phase involved live field simulations and deployment of agencies on Wednesday.
The simulated scenario assumed heavy monsoon rainfall and rising water levels in major rivers, including the Yamuna, Ghaggar, Tangri and Markanda rivers, leading to flood-like situations, urban waterlogging, disruption of communication systems and damage to infrastructure. The State activated its complete emergency response mechanism involving 24 departments, including Home, Police, Irrigation, Health, Agriculture, Energy, Transport, Urban Local Bodies, Fire and Emergency Services and Public Health Engineering. All Deputy Commissioners functioned as District Responsible Officers to ensure smooth coordination and execution of the exercise. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Police, Health Department, and Fire & Emergency Services conducted search and rescue simulations, evacuation drills, relief camp management exercises, and medical response operations across identified districts. These drills replicate worst-case scenarios-such as people trapped near riverbanks amid heavy floods-using entirely natural evacuation procedures. Senior disaster management experts, including Brigadier Ravinder Gurung (Retd.), Senior Consultant with NDMA, supervised the exercise from the State Headquarters. Representatives from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority also participated and shared best practices related to flood management. |
