Virtual capacity-building held statewide as Nagaland gears up for 8th NEPEx

April 23, 2026 7 Views No Comment

• 2026 mock drill on April 30 to simulate a 7.7 magnitude earthquake
• Tabletop Exercise in Chümoukedima on April 29

Morung Express News
Kohima/Zunheboto | April 23

Preparations for the state-level mock exercise under the Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise (NEPEx) 8th Edition gathered pace on April 22, with districts holding virtual capacity-building sessions and coordination meetings ahead of the scheduled mock exercise on April 30.

The exercise, organised under the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), is aimed at strengthening disaster response systems, inter-agency coordination, and overall preparedness in the event of a major emergency.

This year’s scenario will simulate a 7.7 magnitude earthquake causing widespread infrastructure damage, fires, landslides, and disruption of essential services, State DIPR reported.

Virtual capacity-building session for 8th NEPEx in Kohima

The programme was held in pursuance of an official memorandum and aimed at enhancing preparedness and coordination among various departments ahead of the state-wide exercise.

In Zunheboto, Deputy Commissioner and Responsible Officer (RO), Dharam Raj along with SP Zunheboto Dr Kupe Kapfo, attended the virtual session. Officials from various line departments also participated in the program.

The session focused on strengthening response mechanisms and ensuring effective implementation of protocols during the NEPEx 8th edition.

Virtual capacity-building session for 8th NEPEx in Dimapur

In State capital Kohima, DC and Chairman of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Kohima, B. Henok Buchem, along with Superintendent of Police Krodi Rhetso and officials from departments including Police, Medical, Municipal, and emergency services, attended the State-level video conference at the DC Office.

Participants were briefed on emergency coordination mechanisms, activation of Incident Command Posts, relief camps, and management of aftershocks during the simulation.

At Dimapur, the virtual capacity-building programme was held at the NIC Video Conference Hall in the Deputy Commissioner’s Office. The session was chaired by Major General (Retd.) Sudhir Bahl, Consultant to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), who highlighted the roles of line departments during disasters and stressed preparedness, timely response, and effective coordination, particularly during earthquake scenarios. He also underscored the use of technology such as the Google Android Earthquake Alert System for early warning dissemination.

Virtual capacity-building session for 8th NEPEx in Kiphire

Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, Dr Diana Patton, in her concluding remarks, urged all departments to actively participate and remain fully prepared for the upcoming exercise.

In Chümoukedima, a State-level coordinating conference on earthquake disaster preparedness was held through video conferencing at the DC Conference Hall. Deputy Commissioner Polan John informed that the district would conduct a Tabletop Exercise on April 29, followed by a full-scale mock drill on April 30.

He emphasised that disaster response extends beyond first responders such as Police and Fire & Emergency Services, involving all departments under the Incident Response System through manpower, technical expertise, logistics, and machinery support. Stressing the need for coordination, he noted that communication systems and critical infrastructure could be severely impacted in a real high-magnitude earthquake scenario.

Virtual capacity-building session for 8th NEPEx in Longleng

The meeting also focused on programme framework, preparatory actions, coordination protocols, and planned simulations at designated sites. Officials were urged to brief stakeholders and spread public awareness regarding the drills.

Meanwhile, in Longleng, members of the District Level Incident Response Structure, led by Deputy Commissioner and Chairman DDMA Longleng, W. Manpai Phom, attended the virtual orientation and coordination meeting at the DPDB Hall. The DC informed members that the Tabletop Exercise would be held on April 29 and urged all concerned to attend.

The district-level activities form part of a wider State effort to test readiness, identify gaps, and improve coordinated response systems ahead of the large-scale NEPEx simulation.