Uttarakhand to Conduct Statewide Mega Mock Drill Across All 13 Districts on July 2; CM Dhami to Review Preparedness
Disaster preparedness tested through tabletop exercise at USDMA; 66 vulnerable locations selected for large-scale simulation
Dehradun: In a major step to strengthen disaster preparedness ahead of the monsoon season, the Uttarakhand Government has completed all preparations for a comprehensive statewide mock drill scheduled for July 2, 2026. The exercise, to be conducted under the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, will cover all 13 districts of the state and simulate disaster response operations at 66 identified vulnerable locations.
Ahead of the statewide exercise, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) organized a Tabletop Exercise (TTX) at the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) on Tuesday to assess the readiness of district administrations, emergency response agencies and line departments. The exercise evaluated coordination mechanisms, availability of resources, emergency communication systems, and disaster response plans.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will personally inspect the mock drill and review the preparedness of various departments during the statewide exercise.
95% of Mock Drill Locations Selected for the First Time
Officials said the upcoming exercise will be the largest disaster preparedness mock drill ever conducted in Uttarakhand. Of the 66 locations identified for the simulation, nearly 95 percent are new sites, enabling authorities to assess response capabilities across a wider range of geographical and disaster-prone areas.
The mock drill will simulate emergency situations arising from heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides, waterlogging, human-wildlife conflict, road blockages, river-related incidents, and other monsoon-induced disasters.
Preparedness is the Foundation of Effective Disaster Management: Vinod Kumar Suman
Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman, said the exercise has been planned under the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami with the objective of strengthening inter-departmental coordination, ensuring optimum utilization of disaster response equipment and resources, and improving the efficiency of rescue and relief operations during actual emergencies.
He emphasized that the mock drill is not merely a routine exercise but an important initiative to evaluate the preparedness, decision-making capability, resource availability and coordinated response of all departments involved in disaster management.
“Preparedness is the cornerstone of effective disaster management. If departments regularly test and improve their systems before disasters strike, significant loss of life and property can be prevented,” he said.
Suman added that the exercise would also help identify operational gaps and logistical challenges, enabling authorities to address them well in advance and further strengthen the state’s disaster response mechanism.
Departments Tested on Emergency Response Scenarios
During the Tabletop Exercise, officials were presented with simulated disaster scenarios involving cloudbursts, floods, landslides, waterlogging and human-wildlife conflict. Departments explained the sequence of actions they would take upon receiving emergency alerts and how rescue and relief operations would be coordinated.
Discussions also covered deployment of divers, water police, excavators (JCBs), boats, rafts, emergency communication systems, relief camps, medical assistance, evacuation procedures and rehabilitation arrangements.
USDMA Additional Chief Executive Officer (Implementation) and DIG Rajkumar Negi briefed district officials on standard operating procedures (SOPs), reporting protocols and preparedness measures to be followed during the July 2 mock drill.
Monsoon Arrived in Uttarakhand on June 30
During the exercise, Dr. Rohit Thapliyal from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Dehradun, informed participants that the southwest monsoon reached Uttarakhand on June 30, 2026.
He said the state is likely to receive below-normal rainfall this season. Uttarakhand recorded 83 mm of rainfall during June, compared to the normal average of 132 mm for the month.
Modern Disaster Response Equipment Displayed
A special exhibition showcasing advanced rescue and disaster response equipment was organized jointly by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Fire Services Department.
Officials examined the latest technologies and received demonstrations on their use during emergency situations.
Among the highlights of the exhibition were CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive) response equipment displayed by the NDRF, along with several advanced rescue tools, including:
- Deep diving sets
- Night vision cameras
- Thermal imaging cameras
- Hydraulic cutters
- Underwater communication systems
- Underwater drones
- Sonar systems
- Other specialized search and rescue equipment
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is also expected to visit the equipment exhibition during the statewide mock drill.
SDRF Achieves 100% Adoption of ‘Sachet’ and ‘Bhudev’ Apps
Under USDMA’s statewide awareness campaign, all officers and personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have successfully downloaded the ‘Sachet’ and ‘Bhudev’ mobile applications, achieving 100 percent compliance.
Deputy Commandant Shubhank Ratudi shared this achievement during the Tabletop Exercise.
Appreciating the initiative, Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said that technology-driven early warning systems are becoming increasingly important in disaster management. He added that USDMA is actively promoting both mobile applications among government departments and the public to ensure timely access to weather forecasts and disaster alerts across the state.
Senior Officials Participated
The exercise was attended by IG Fire Services Vimmi Sachdeva, DIG Rajkumar Negi, Director of Animal Husbandry Dr. Uday Shankar, NDRF Commandant Santosh Kumar, SSB DIG Durga Bahadur, Rajiv Baluni, Colonel Pankaj Awasthi, Joint CEO Mohammad Obaidullah Ansari, Deputy Director, Fire Services S.K. Rana, Dr. Anita Chamola, Dr. Rohit Thapliyal, Dr. Pankaj Singh, Group Captain R.R. Raunthaan, along with senior officials and nodal officers from various departments.
