HT Correspondent
TAWANG, July 29: A large-scale mock exercise and awareness programme on earthquake preparedness was successfully conducted on Tuesday near the Walk-Through Market in Tawang.
Organised under the aegis of the Department of Disaster Management, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, the event was a joint initiative of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Fire & Emergency Services, Itanagar, aimed at improving public readiness in the face of seismic emergencies.
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According to an official release, the programme saw the active participation of key district officials and members of the public, including Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo, Superintendent of Police Dr D W Thongon, SP SDRF and Fire Services John Pada, Heads of Offices, Bazar Welfare Committee members, NCC and NSS volunteers, SSB personnel, and students.
In her address, Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo stressed the urgent need for public preparedness, reminding the gathering that Arunachal Pradesh lies in Seismic Zone V — the most earthquake-prone zone in the country.
She stated that while earthquakes cannot be predicted, timely and informed action can minimise loss of life and damage to property.
She urged residents to internalize the safety procedures demonstrated during the drill.
Superintendent of Police Dr DW Thongon reinforced the message of vigilance and readiness, encouraging participants to memorise emergency protocols.
SP and Nodal Officer for SDRF and Fire Services John Pada highlighted the critical role played by the community in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, stating that while professional response forces are essential, the first line of response typically comes from the people themselves.
He thanked the SSB, NCC, NSS and Bazar Welfare Committees for their strong support and participation in the programme.
District Disaster Management Officer Genden Tsomu informed that a comprehensive safety audit will soon be conducted by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to identify potential risks and areas for improvement.
She expressed gratitude to all agencies and individuals who contributed to the successful conduct of the awareness programme.
Following the addresses, SDRF personnel conducted a live mock drill simulating post-earthquake rescue operations, including evacuation, search and rescue, and fire safety demonstrations.
The Fire & Emergency Services team from Tawang trained participants on the proper use of fire extinguishers and demonstrated emergency response techniques.
Volunteers from the SSB, NCC, and NSS, drawn from the Higher Secondary School Tawang and Town Secondary School Tawang, actively took part in the enactments, underscoring the importance of youth and grassroots involvement in disaster management.
In a move to enhance local preparedness infrastructure, Fire & Emergency Services, Itanagar, distributed three fire extinguishers each to the three Bazar Welfare Committees.
The gesture was aimed at empowering market associations to manage initial fire emergencies until professional help arrives.
