Port Blair Nov 1: With disaster preparedness high on its agenda, the A&N Administration has taken a proactive step to fine-tune its coordinated response mechanisms for any natural calamity. In a concerted move to enhance disaster readiness, a Table Top Exercise (TTEx) was conducted under the chairmanship of Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Home Affairs. The meeting, held at the Secretariat’s Conference Hall, set the stage for the upcoming Inter State Mock Exercise (ISME) – 2025 on Earthquake and Tsunami, scheduled for November 4, 2025, across the Islands.
The exercise brought together senior officials from the Administration, District Authorities, Armed Forces, NDRF, Police, and other stakeholder agencies to finalize the scenario and coordination plan for the mega simulation.
Addressing the participants, the Chief Secretary emphasized that the TTEx serves as more than just a preparatory meeting—it is a realistic rehearsal of decision-making and inter-agency coordination essential during real-life disasters. He urged departments to identify communication gaps, strengthen resource-sharing systems, and ensure a seamless, coordinated response during the upcoming mock exercise.
Joining virtually, Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.), Member, NDMA, highlighted that the ISME–2025 will be a crucial test of the Islands’ operational readiness, early warning dissemination, and coordination among emergency agencies. “These exercises are not just about procedures—they are about thinking, planning, and acting together,” he noted.
Comdt. Aditya Kumar (Retd.), NDMA’s Mock Exercise Coordinator, briefed participants on the earthquake and tsunami scenarios to be simulated, emphasizing community participation and capacity-building during the “golden hours” of disaster response.
District officials, Police, Health, Fire Services, and the A&N Command also presented their preparedness measures and response strategies.
In her concluding remarks, Purva Garg, Secretary (Disaster Management), lauded the active collaboration of all departments and agencies, expressing confidence that the ISME–2025 will further strengthen the Islands’ comprehensive disaster management framework.
