‘Exercise Suraksha Chakra’ Disaster Mock Drill to Begin in Delhi from July 29

The National Capital Region (NCR) is preparing for one of its largest disaster preparedness initiatives. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in collaboration with the Indian Army and the state governments of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, is launching a full-scale mock drill called “Exercise Suraksha Chakra.”

Scheduled to take place from July 29 to August 1, this multi-state, multi-agency simulation aims to test and enhance the region’s ability to respond effectively to major disasters, including earthquakes and chemical hazards. A key component of the exercise will be a full-scale mock earthquake response drill, conducted simultaneously across all 18 participating districts of the NCR on Friday. This drill will simulate a real-time earthquake emergency, testing the coordination among various emergency and rescue units.

What Residents Should Expect

During the simulation, residents may notice an increased presence of ambulances, fire trucks, police vehicles, and army trucks on the roads. The public is advised not to panic, as this is a controlled and planned exercise.

Key agencies participating in the drill include the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Armed Forces, Civil Defence, and various central and state-level disaster response teams. The simulation may also involve the use of sirens or public address systems to signal the beginning of different phases of the exercise.

Additionally, temporary facilities such as Incident Command Posts, relief camps, medical aid stations, and staging areas will be set up at strategic locations to mimic real emergency conditions.

Preparedness Over Panic

The exercise will feature search and rescue operations, casualty evacuation, and first-aid drills to prepare teams for actual disaster scenarios. The primary objective is to evaluate the readiness and coordination of multiple agencies in managing a crisis effectively while ensuring that response times and procedures are optimally aligned.

Officials believe this comprehensive drill will significantly strengthen India’s disaster response framework, particularly in a densely populated and seismically active region like the NCR.