Communication mock drill held

In a crucial step towards bolstering disaster preparedness, the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) conducted a statewide communication mock drill on Monday, focusing on the upcoming monsoon season and the 9th State Level Mega Mock Exercise.

The drill was held under the chairmanship of DC Rana, Director-cum-Special Secretary (Revenue and Disaster Management), and aimed at evaluating the resilience and operational readiness of the state’s emergency communication network. The exercise also sought to identify potential vulnerabilities in real-time disaster scenarios, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

As part of the mock exercise, voice calls were placed to remote and high-altitude regions such as Tissa (Chamba), Dodra Kawar (Shimla), Keylong (Lahaul-Spiti), Rekong Peo (Kinnaur), Bara Bhangal (Kangra) and Kugti (Chamba). These locations were strategically chosen to test the effectiveness of existing communication systems under challenging geographical conditions.

In parallel, video conferencing was successfully conducted via V-SAT terminals, linking control rooms in Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi Hub, Reckong Peo (Kinnaur) and Bengaluru (Karnataka). These virtual interactions simulated real-time coordination during emergency response operations, ensuring inter-agency collaboration across various state and national centres.

A technical audit of satellite communication equipment was also carried out during the drill. A total of 227 I-Sat phones were tested, including 114 devices of HPSDMA and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), 34 of the Police Communication and Technical Services Wing, nine from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), 14 from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).