Tsunami mock drill conducted in Odisha coastal villages

A massive tsunami mock drill involving various government agencies and disaster response forces was conducted across 328 Odisha villages on Saturday.

As per instruction of Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), government officials, the drill was conducted in 328 villages within 1.5 km of the coastline under 22 coastal blocks in six districts such as Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri and Ganjam to generate public awareness about tsunami preparedness and to strengthen disaster preparedness in the State.

This mock was part of a nationwide tsunami mock drill conducted by INCOIS. Agencies such as National Disaster Response Force, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and fire service personnel participated in the drill.

According to office of Special Relief Commissioner, the drill started at 9.30 a.m. with the receipt of first test bulletin from INCOIS by the State Emergency Operation Centre which was immediately transmitted to districts.

“As many as six alerts and warnings were received from INCOIS and promptly communicated to the collectors for taking preparedness and evacuation measures at the village level. The mock drill ended at 1.30 p.m. with the issue of de-warning,” said P. R. Mohapatra, Deputy Relief Commissioner.

The drill will help people living in tsunami-prone areas and government officials at different levels remain better prepared to handle any threat in future, Mr. Mohapatra said.

The NDRF team had set up a control room in Puri district collector’s office which coordinated efforts of evacuation of people from Beladala village. “Immediately after receiving tsunami alert through email, we warned our team deployed in Beladala village. They swiftly evacuated villagers with emphasis on women, elderly and patients,” said P. K. Jha, who commanded the drill on behalf third battalion of NDRF.

The whole operation was supervised by NDRF Assistant Commandant B. K. Sahu. NDRF was assisted by line departments of Puri district.

PTI adds:

Two mild tremors of 3.2 and 2.8 on the Richter scale were felt in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district on Saturday.

The low intensity earthquakes were recorded around 8.18 a.m. and 11.21 a.m. and lasted for a few seconds, the meteorological centre here said.

The quake epicentre was about 35 km north of seismological observatory here, it said.

No loss of life and property has been reported so far.

The tremors caused panic among the people who rushed out of the buildings.