Mock drills and Exercises

Mock drills and exercises provide hands-on training for individuals and organizations to respond effectively during emergencies. Practicing real-life scenarios helps identify weaknesses in disaster management plans, improve coordination, reduce response time and ensure everyone knows their roles. Regular drills build confidence and make communities more resilient and ready to handle real disaster situations. Maharashtra is one of the most hazard-prone states, so such exercises are conducted annually to improve the systems’ readiness to respond to threats at the district and state levels.

Cyclone Mock-Drill, 2024

The Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority and the National Disaster Management Authority conducted a state-level cyclone mock exercise to unify stakeholders, utilize core capabilities, and mobilize resources for an effective response. An Orientation and Coordination Conference on 1 November 2024 initiated the planning, followed by a Table-Top Exercise on 7 November to evaluate plans and coordination without actual deployment. The process culminated in a full-scale Mock Exercise on 9 November, testing the operational capability of the State’s Emergency Management System through actual mobilization and deployment.

Nanded Flood Mock Exercise, 2024

As part of preparedness, a flood mock exercise was conducted on the banks of the Godavari River at Vishnupuri, Nanded, on 27th May 2024. The Nanded District Disaster Management Authority organized the exercise to assess response during flood situations, test emergency procedures and equipment, and identify the gaps and challenges. Officers from the administration, revenue department, municipal corporation, and Aapda Mitra volunteers participated in the exercise.

Table Top Exercise and Mock Drill for Flood Response at Kotgal Barrage, Gadchiroli District

The District Disaster Management Authority, Gadchiroli District and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Pune jointly conducted a tabletop exercise and mock drill on 4th January 2024 at Kotgal Barrage, Gadchiroli block. The participants included officers from Road Transport, police, health, irrigation, public works, Nagar Parishad and Fire department. In addition to this, Aapda Mitra and local people participated in large number. The participants were trained in types of swimming, deep diving techniques, direct contact techniques, search and rescue techniques by giving practical demonstrations. The table top exercise was followed by mock exercise based on flood response scenarios.

Mock Drill organized at Tarkarli, Taluka Malvan prior to the occasion of Navy Day Program

On 04th December 2023, a Navy Day program was organized at Tarkarli, Taluka Malvan in the presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister and other dignitaries. In line with the said program, as part of crowd control, preparedness and management to prevent emergency situations, a mock exercise on disaster management was organized by the District Disaster Management Authority, Sindhudurg district on 02nd December 2023. The program was attended by the officers and concerned staff from departments such as Health, Port, Forest, Revenue, Civil Defence, Aapda Mitras Jivarakshaks, and Sarpmitras.

Mock drill on Fire Safety and Bomb Blast Response at District Collectorate office, Jalgaon District

A mock drill for fire safety and bomb blast preparation was organized on 6th August 2024 at the Collectorate Office, Jalgaon. The exercise aimed to enhance emergency response capabilities and coordination among various departments. The exercise was conducted in collaboration with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Fire Department, Police and Health Services. Officers, employees, and emergency response organizations actively participated in this mock drill. The observations from this exercise will be used to improve security protocols, strengthen response mechanisms, and improve infrastructure at the District Collectorate, Jalgaon. This initiative highlights the importance of proactive disaster management preparedness and ensures that government offices are equipped to handle emergencies.

Mock drill conducted by DDMA Nashik

On 09.11.2023, a mock drill was conducted by the District Disaster Management Authority, Nashik district jointly with NDRF on ropeway safety at Saptashrungi Niwasini Devi, Tal. Kalwan. The temple is accessible via foot and by the ropeway. Many people use the ropeway to visit the temple from the town below that makes it vulnerable to various hazards. The mock drill addressed the response gaps, and suggested improvements to the temple authority and the ropeway operator.

Mock Drill at Shivaji Highschool and junior College, Chamorshi block, Gadchiroli District

Child Centric-Disaster Risk Reduction (CCDRR) and School Safety also involves prioritizing empowerment of children in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. In line with this idea, the District Disaster Management Authority, Gadchiroli district conducted a mock drill on 2nd February 2022 at Shivaji Highschool and junior College, Chamorshi block where more than 500 students participated along with other stakeholders such as teachers, school staff, home guards, officers from education department and those from response agencies.  Earthquake and fire scenarios are planned in which students actively participated, formed response teams and provided response, first aid and emergency support as a part of mock exercise.

Mock Exercise on Chemical Industrial Disaster, in Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. District

District Level Off-site Mock Exercise followed by a table top exercise on Chemical Industrial Disaster was conducted at Hindustan Petroleum corporation Ltd. on 15th January 2025 in Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. District.