Mumbai, October 2026: Under the guidance of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority, district administration and various disaster response agencies successfully conducted a joint multi-state cyclone mock drill across Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka.
As part of the exercise, the preparedness and response capabilities of various agencies were assessed at seven multi-hazard-prone locations in Sindhudurg district in view of a possible cyclone.
Simulated emergency situations involving heavy rainfall, strong winds, rough sea conditions, coastal erosion, flooding, fallen trees, damage to electricity poles and disruption of road and railway connectivity were created at Tarkarli, Achara, Redi Port, Shriramwadi, Shelpi, Vijaydurg and Tambaldeg.
A hypothetical scenario of a cyclone making landfall in the district was created for the exercise. After an alert from the India Meteorological Department was received through the State Emergency Operations Centre, an emergency meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority was convened under the chairmanship of the District Collector.
The District Disaster Management Authority directed the concerned officials to undertake the necessary emergency measures. The District Emergency Control Centre at the Collector’s Office was activated to continuously monitor the situation.
The National Disaster Management Authority, State Emergency Operations Centre and District Disaster Management Authority coordinated the response and ensured coordination among various departments involved in the exercise.
The concerned departments and response agencies effectively utilised the Incident Response System notified for disaster management. A Geo-Decision Support System (Geo-DSS)-based web application developed by the State Emergency Operations Centre using modern technology further strengthened the data-based decision-making capabilities of affected citizens, team commanders, administrators and the government.
Various departments participated in the mock drill, including Revenue, Public Works, Police, Health, Water Resources, Transport and Ports, Rural Development, Nagar Panchayat, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, Maharashtra Maritime Board, Fisheries Department and Redi Port Authority.
The participation of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Aapda Mitra volunteers, fire brigade personnel, Civil Defence, Home Guards, NCC, NSS, voluntary organisations and local citizens helped strengthen the disaster response capacity of local communities.
The exercise also helped clarify the responsibilities of different stakeholders during emergencies and improve coordination among agencies.
Such mock drills are expected to strengthen the ability of authorities and communities to respond to various disasters and help ensure more effective protection of citizens, government property, livestock and other resources. Coordinated preparedness and response mechanisms can also help minimise potential losses during disasters.
Those present during the exercise included NDMA Commandant Aditya Kumar; District Collector and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, Tripti Dhodmise; Resident Deputy Collector and Chief Executive Officer of the District Disaster Management Authority, Machhindra Sukate; Joint Secretary Mugdha Dhuri; District Superintendent of Police and ex-officio member of the District Disaster Management Authority, Dr Mohan Dahikar; State Emergency Operations Centre Coordinator Balaji Varkat; Project Monitoring Group representative Sagar Valanju; District Disaster Management Officer Rajshree Samant; and officers and employees of the District Disaster Control Room and various departments.
