Disaster response mock drills in TG on May 15, 18

HYDERABAD

Mock drills are crucial for improving coordination among departments and ensuring an effective response to disasters such as floods, industrial accidents and forest fires, State Revenue (Disaster Management) Secretary D. Harichandana said on Thursday.

Addressing officials from various departments and district administrations, through a video conference, on the proposed tabletop exercise scheduled for May 15, followed by State-level mock drills across districts on May 18, she said that similar exercises conducted in 2025 had proved useful in enabling quicker and coordinated responses during emergencies.

Director General of Telangana Fire Services Vikram Singh Mann said that nearly 60 departments and Central agencies would take part in the May 18 exercises. He said flood-related mock drills for 2026 would be held in 13 districts, while industrial accident drills would cover five districts and forest fire exercises four districts. He directed departments concerned to make necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of the drills.

NDMA lead consultant Major General Sudhir Behl (Retired), who participated virtually from New Delhi, made a presentation on the roles and responsibilities of Central and State agencies during disasters.

Senior officials from Fire Services, NDRF, SDRF, CISF, CRPF, Army, Health, Forest, Industries and other departments attended the meeting.