DELHI IS gearing up for one of the biggest ever-held disaster preparedness mock drill in which multiple agencies will play a part – a feature that will review their alertness to any disaster. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is organising the event along with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and the departments have gone all out to publicise the event for the benefit of people of Delhi. Residents in NCR have been receiving text messages, informing them about the drill to he held on February 15, half an hour before noon, and at the same time asking them to get in touch with concerned DC, SDM and ADM for details.

The drill, according to Mail Today would be held across every district and zone in the national capital at selected ‘vulnerable’ spots such as malls, schools, bridges and markets. Though it has often been heard that surprise mock drills were held in the city but asking people to watch firsthand what happens during an emergency is a first of its kind exercise in the capital.

Though details of the drill are being shared with journalists in a press conference, the only thing Kuldeep Singh, Additional Secretary revenue confirmed to this Citizen Journalist was that a ‘mega’ press conference is being held this afternoon.

Broadly, major disasters strike in three ways –earthquakes, floods and fires. In all the categories, Delhi seems to be ill-prepared for all of them. The drill would inform people about preventive measures in case of disasters but just a drill isn’t enough to raise the awareness to much desired levels. In one of the mock drills held last year in a south Delhi school, a scenario was created in which one of the classrooms caught fire due to an electrical short circuit. From the class of 30, 8 students were trapped inside, 3 fainted due to dense smoke and the chaotic situation created die to hue and cry raised by students and staff. Watched over by 200 locals from the nearby community, dozens of agencies involving the NGOs participated in the hour-long drill, according to Delhi Government website.

Though the results were declared satisfactory by the administration but when it comes to surprise drills, all the agencies fail to reach the spot, either due to transportation issue or the lazy attitude. According to Hindustan Times, lack of preparedness marred a mock drill organised by the agency last week as all the agencies, including ambulance services failed to respond in time. The disaster management helpline number almost collapsed and the exercise ended up being a mockery as the fire brigade reached the spot almost 40 minutes after the call was made.

Only recently we witnessed a major fire incident in an East Delhi locality in which 14 precious lives were lost. But as has always been witnessed, fire tenders are not able to reach the situation either because they were stuck in traffic jams or the narrow alleys prevented them from reaching the spot.

Delhi lies on seismic zone IV, and according to experts it means a high-risk zone. But taking a look at the city’s settlement plan, it can be said with closed eyes that even an earthquake with comparatively lesser magnitude could lead to massive destruction. Shaking of buildings is felt even with a tremor of slight intensity. The problem is compounded by the sub-standard material that is used for construction. Most of the people are simply unaware of the steps to be followed after an earthquake strikes. The need of the hour is an open discussion and debate on the ways through which we can at least minimise the damage.

In Gurgaon, fire fighters are not even equipped with platforms that can reach beyond a particular height and administration usually wakes up only when tragedy strikes in any part of the country. It's only after the AMRI tragedy in Kolkata that consumed 90 people, including the patients and staff, that people have started talking about fire-fighting capabilities.

Considering that being aware of how to react to disasters, and ohw to help oneself and others, can save lives, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority's Mock Drill will help inform and orient lakhs of Delhites about how to conduct and what to expect in a situation of a disaster - apart from improving preparedness of the various disaster response units in the capital.