Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa conducted a multi-state mock exercise on cyclone and cyclone-induced disasters, with simulated emergency situations carried out at multiple locations across the state to assess preparedness, response mechanisms and coordination among various departments.
The exercise was organised by the State Disaster Management Authority, Government of Goa, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
As part of the exercise, a scenario involving the overflow of the Valvanti River and evacuation of residents was conducted at Mollem in Sattari. At Mopa in Pernem, teams simulated the collapse of a cargo building due to strong winds, followed by a hazardous chemical leak and fuel spillage.
A simulated cyclone-related drowning of fishermen was conducted at Morjim, Pernem, while at Kharewaddo in Vasco, teams carried out a rescue operation following a scenario in which a fishing trawler capsized.
Another sea rescue scenario involving fishermen caught in rough waters was conducted at Palolem in Canacona, while a simulated rescue of a tourist from the sea was carried out at Candolim in Bardez.
Several land-based emergency scenarios were also conducted. At Junta House in Panaji, teams carried out a mock rescue operation following a building collapse. At Verna in Salcete, a fallen electrical pole scenario leading to a fire at a pharmaceutical company was simulated.
At Quepem, teams conducted a scenario involving a petrol pump canopy catching fire during tanker decanting. At Sanguem, a road blockage caused by fallen trees following heavy rains was simulated, while evacuation exercises were conducted at Ponda and Bicholim.
Officials also assessed response operations through emergency control rooms established at the state and district levels. Senior officials and nodal officers from various line departments coordinated the exercise from the State Level Control Room at the Secretariat in Porvorim.
North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav, IAS, reviewed rescue, response and mitigation efforts at the District Emergency Operations Centre at the Collectorate. He was accompanied by Deputy Collector (Disaster Management) Safal Shetye, Mamlatdar Pravind Gawas and senior officials from various departments.
In South Goa, Collector Egna Cleetus, IAS, along with Additional Collector Ramesh Gaonkar and other senior officials, reviewed the rescue, response and mitigation efforts at the Mathany Saldanha Administrative Complex in Margao.
Officials in Kushavati District also reviewed the response to the simulated incidents. Collector Gurudas S. T. Desai, accompanied by Additional Collector Ramesh Gaonkar, Deputy Collector Kushavati-I Laxmikant Desai and other senior officials, took stock of the operations at the Mathany Saldanha Administrative Complex.
The multi-location exercise was aimed at testing the preparedness of emergency response agencies, strengthening inter-departmental coordination and identifying gaps in rescue, evacuation, communication and disaster mitigation mechanisms during cyclone-related emergencies.*
