The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) conducted its maiden Table Top Exercise (TTEx) on the earthquake disaster at DC Conference Hall on August 2.

The exercise was held under the chairmanship of Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, DC, Leh also the Chairman, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Leh. Various stakeholders, including Revenue, Police, UTDRF/ Civil Defense, Armed forces, NHPC Nimoo-Basgo, PWD, Medical, and NGOs were present.

Assistant Commandant, 13th Battalion, NDRF, Deve Darshan Velwal gave a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the structure and role of NDRF in India, its abilities, the list of machines used for dealing with all types of natural and man-made disasters, etc. He stressed the need for coordination among the stakeholders during a disaster to reduce response time for rescue measures as Ladakh is located under level IV and V earthquake seismic zones.

Heads of different stakeholders headed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO), DDMA, Leh, Sonam Chosjor, responded to the queries developed by the NDRF, as per the draft plan of the DDMA, Leh.

CEO, DDMA Leh, Sonam Chosjor also gave a brief presentation about the draft plan of DDMA Leh developed as per the global disaster guidelines. He shared an all-important database at district and sub-divisional levels designed to respond to all types of disasters.

A mock exercise will be conducted on August 3 at the Institute of Hotel Management, Taski-Thang near Lamdon School, Leh, at 11:00 AM by the NDRF team to sensitize stakeholders with the preparedness of the mechanisms at the time of an earthquake.

The meeting deliberated on key points, including the opening of the NDRF branch in Ladakh, satellite phone, helipads, medial infrastructure and response team, hygiene and sanitation, drinking water supply, the role of media, awareness, and training regarding disaster management in the district.