In South district, mock drill to ready authorities for localised crisis response

Staff Reporter

Margao

In an effort to bolster disaster preparedness, the South Goa district administration will conduct a large-scale cyclone mock exercise this week across the talukas of Ponda, Mormugao, and Quepem, with seven designated sites set to simulate the impact of a severe cyclonic storm.

The mock drill, guided by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), aims to evaluate South Goa’s emergency response systems and resource resilience.

“The NDMA-designed simulation will create a high-intensity cyclone-like scenario to assess how well South Goa’s infrastructure, manpower, and protocols can withstand extreme conditions,” said South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus, who announced the initiative following a coordination meeting held on Monday.

Officials from the Army, Navy, district administration, and various line departments at the South Goa Collectorate attended the meeting.

In a first, the mock drill will adopt a decentralised approach, appointing taluka-level deputy collectors as ‘Incident Commanders’ instead of relying solely on the district collector. “This shift is intended to enhance localised decision-making during crises,” Cleetus said.

The exercise will be a multi-agency collaboration involving technical and logistical support from various stakeholders, including NGOs, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), panchayats, and municipal bodies.

Cleetus said the drill will help identify gaps in resources and response mechanisms, while also updating the District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP) for the three talukas by incorporating insights from the ground and new technologies.

“This drill will not only test our readiness but also strengthen coordination between government agencies, armed forces, and local communities,” Cleetus said, stressing the importance of community involvement. “They are the first responders in any crisis, and involving them is crucial. With cyclones increasingly threatening coastal regions, this exercise is a vital step toward protecting South Goa’s communities and infrastructure.”