New Delhi, Nov 22 (UNI) Eleven Pacific Island countries will participate in a multi-State mega mock exercise on tsunami preparedness, which is being conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs through National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) from Friday.
The exercise will be simultaneously conducted in 31 coastal districts across four States namely West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and Union Territory Puducherry along the entire East Coast.
The disaster scenario will simulate tsunami waves originating due to a high-intensity earthquake near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which will lead to a massive tsunami along the East Coast, the ministry of home affairs said.
Participants from 11 Pacific Island countries will observe the entire exercise to take away key lessons and best practices to be adopted while preparing for and responding to a disaster situation.
Tsunami is a highly devastating natural hazard and requires rapid response when it occurs as the reaction time is limited, it added.
A two-hour reaction time has been planned in this scenario during which the entire State machinery will be mobilised in a defined manner to respond swiftly and efficiently. Evacuation drills will also be rehearsed at selected sites.
The exercise is aimed to assess and help improve the preparedness, response mechanism and coordination among concerned agencies.
UNI ASH SNU 1429