Shillong, Feb 18: The Meghalaya Civil Defence & Home Guards Department today conducted mock exercises on Earthquake and Cyclone in East Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, East Jaintia and West Jaintia Hills districts as part of its yearlong celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the Statehood of Meghalaya.
Organised through its district level offices of the Deputy Controller of Civil Defence and the District Home Guards Commandant, the mock exercises saw the active participation of the community and created awareness about the importance of disaster preparedness.
In East Khasi Hills, the mock exercise was conducted on Earthquake at Mawkasiang village with the active participation of the Dorbar and local residents, apart from the SDRF.
The mock exercise in South West Khasi Hills was conducted in Mawten village. In West Khasi Hills the mock exercise was conducted on Cyclone at Nongstoin in collaboration with the DDMA, DMHO, school teachers and students.
In East Jaintia Hills, the mock exercise was conducted on Earthquake at Khliehriat and Ladthalaboh in West Jaintia Hills District.
By celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Meghalaya through mock exercises, the Department intends to highlight the importance of the safety and welfare of the Citizens of the State in times of disasters and war by building disaster resilience in the Community and empowering them with lifesaving skills, incident response and planning since they are the first responder in any disaster.
Improving community-based disaster preparednesswill also contribute in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal no.13 i.e Climate Action where disaster preparedness is one of the parameters for scoring. Conduct of such exercise not only builds the capacity of the community but also creates awareness amongst the general public about the importance of Disaster Preparedness.
Similar mock exercises in Garo Hills will be conducted on 25th February. A host of training programmes and mock exercises has been scheduled for the yearlong celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the Statehood of Meghalaya, by the Department.
