Tripura is set to conduct a major civil defence mock drill across the state on May 7 to assess and strengthen its emergency preparedness. The drill, coordinated by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, aims to evaluate the efficiency of response systems during disaster situations, including earthquakes, fires, floods, and other emergencies.
The exercise will cover multiple districts and involve various stakeholders, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Tripura Police, Fire and Emergency Services, local administration, medical teams, and civil defence volunteers. Officials have issued a public advisory requesting citizens not to panic during the scheduled drill and to cooperate fully with the authorities.
Senior officials said that mock drills like this help identify gaps in coordination, communication, and logistics during crisis scenarios. By simulating disaster situations in real-time, the exercise offers an opportunity to fine-tune the response strategies and assess how quickly departments can mobilise.
The state capital Agartala will witness drill activities in designated high-density zones, including schools, hospitals, markets, and government offices. Similar operations are planned in district headquarters and urban centres such as Udaipur, Dharmanagar, Kailashahar, and Khowai. The drills will follow standard operating procedures issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), ensuring uniformity in practice and evaluation.
District magistrates have been directed to supervise the drills personally and ensure that all local functionaries participate. Teams will simulate different disaster scenarios, including building collapses, chemical leaks, fire outbreaks, and search-and-rescue missions. Ambulances, rescue equipment, and fire tenders will be deployed as part of the drills to maintain realism in the exercise.
Training and preparatory sessions have already been conducted for participating personnel. Mock disaster alerts will be circulated through sirens and public address systems during the exercise. Observers from the NDMA and the state disaster authority will be present to monitor the drill and submit a post-event assessment report. The findings will be used to refine Tripura’s disaster management framework.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said that regular drills are essential to enhance public awareness and institutional capacity. He added that the people of Tripura have shown resilience during past natural disasters and that the government aims to ensure a quicker and more effective response in future emergencies.
Educational institutions have been briefed to participate in the exercise, especially those located in earthquake-prone zones. Special drills will be held in multi-storey schools and colleges to simulate evacuation during tremors. Teachers, staff, and students have been trained in basic safety measures, and mock evacuation procedures will be carried out under expert supervision.
Hospitals and healthcare units will also undergo readiness checks. Emergency medical response teams will practice trauma care protocols and mass casualty handling techniques. Hospitals have been asked to review their emergency plans and conduct mock triage setups in preparation for the drill.
Fire and Emergency Services personnel will carry out demonstrations on fire safety and crowd management. Marketplaces and commercial complexes will witness fire evacuation mock drills, with volunteers guiding shopkeepers and visitors to safety points.
Chowdhury reiterated that the objective is to make communities self-reliant during disasters. He urged the media to help spread awareness about the purpose of the mock drill to avoid unnecessary panic. Public notices have been issued through radio, television, and social media platforms to inform residents about the drill timings and locations.
The civil defence mock drill is part of a broader disaster preparedness initiative in Tripura that includes community-level awareness programmes, school safety audits, capacity building for first responders, and updating of district-level disaster management plans. The government has also launched a mobile application to offer real-time disaster alerts and safety tips to citizens.
With the May 7 drill, Tripura aims to strengthen its disaster resilience and ensure that its administrative and civil systems are ready to handle emergencies with speed and coordination.
