Chief Secretary K.K. Pant today chaired a virtual Table Top Exercise (TTEx) aimed at assessing the preparedness of various departments and strengthening inter-departmental coordination for effective disaster management across Himachal Pradesh.
The exercise was organized by the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the state’s disaster response capabilities.
Designed around hazards most relevant to Himachal Pradesh, the exercise simulated realistic emergency scenarios, including a high-intensity earthquake, cloudburst-triggered flash floods, and large-scale forest fires. These simulations provided participating departments with an opportunity to evaluate existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), identify operational gaps, and test the effectiveness of communication and coordination mechanisms during emergencies.
Addressing the participants, Chief Secretary K.K. Pant emphasized that Himachal Pradesh remains highly vulnerable to multiple natural hazards due to its geographical terrain and climatic conditions. He stated that such exercises are critical for strengthening institutional preparedness, enhancing response mechanisms, and ensuring seamless coordination among all stakeholders during disaster situations.
The Chief Secretary further informed that a large-scale mock disaster drill will be conducted on 15 June 2026 under the guidance and observation of officials from the NDMA, the Army, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The exercise will be carried out in coordination with central agencies, armed forces, and paramilitary personnel to assess preparedness levels, identify shortcomings, and recommend mitigation measures for improved disaster response.
The Table Top Exercise was conducted via video conference by Major General (Retd.) Sudhir Behal, Senior Consultant, NDMA. Senior officers from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, ITBP, state government departments, all Deputy Commissioners, and district-level officials actively participated in the session.
Dr. Pushpender Rana, Special Secretary (Revenue and Disaster Management), informed that hypothetical disaster scenarios involving earthquakes, cloudbursts, flash floods, and forest fires would be created during the upcoming mock drill, with active participation from all districts and stakeholder departments across the state.
Representatives from the NDMA, SDMA, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Forest Department, Health Department, and the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD) also participated in the exercise.
The initiative marks another significant step toward enhancing Himachal Pradesh’s disaster resilience and ensuring a coordinated, timely, and effective response to natural calamities.
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