Flood Preparedness Tested During Mock Exercise in Ramgarh
Arrangements for healthcare, drinking water, communication and relief camps rehearsed
Raipur, August 2026: A mock exercise was conducted in Mungeli district on Thursday to assess preparedness for effectively responding to flood disasters, in accordance with the directions of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India.
The flood preparedness exercise was organised at the Amrit Sarovar in Ramgarh village of Mungeli district. During the exercise, the district administration and various government departments rehearsed relief, rescue and rehabilitation operations that would be required in the event of flooding.
The mock drill assessed inter-departmental coordination, rapid response mechanisms, availability of resources and the effectiveness of rescue and relief operations during a potential flood disaster.
As part of the exercise, people trapped in floodwaters were successfully rescued, while safety measures and precautions to be followed during disasters were demonstrated. A scenario in which a boat capsized in the middle of a river was recreated. The rescue team immediately swung into action and safely evacuated the people from the boat within minutes. They were subsequently provided CPR and first aid before being transported by ambulance to a flood relief camp.
The Animal Husbandry Department also used the exercise to educate livestock owners about measures to protect animals from diseases during floods.
Mungeli Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ajay Shatranj said that the exercise included a demonstration by the Home Guards and rescue teams, who showcased their preparedness using essential rescue equipment and motorboats.
The Water Resources Department rehearsed procedures for collecting flood-related information and maintaining communication with the control room. The Forest Department was assigned responsibility for helping affected families reach safe locations and ensuring the availability of necessary resources.
The exercise also demonstrated that people could use readily available floating materials, such as plastic water bottles and banana trunks, to reach safer locations in emergency situations. Citizens were advised not to panic in the event of a snakebite and to seek medical assistance immediately.
The Health Department conducted a preparedness exercise involving doctors, paramedical personnel, life-saving medicines and essential medical equipment at the site. The Public Works Department rehearsed procedures for clearing road obstructions and maintaining smooth traffic movement.
The Police Department assessed arrangements for wireless communication, traffic management and maintenance of law and order during a flood emergency.
The Veterinary Department practised arrangements for treating affected animals, while the Electricity Department reviewed preparedness for maintaining electrical services. The Food Department rehearsed the distribution of food packets, while the Public Health Engineering Department assessed arrangements for drinking water supply and drainage.
The Telecommunications Department also reviewed communication arrangements, while the Transport Department ensured the availability of a mini-bus for relief and rescue operations.
The Revenue Department rehearsed procedures for operating relief camps, collecting information from affected areas, communicating updates to senior officials and providing assistance to displaced residents.
The Panchayat and urban local bodies also participated in the exercise, focusing on arrangements for accommodating affected people and providing essential supplies.
Important disaster-management facilities, including relief camps and medical centres, were incorporated into the mock exercise to test the overall response mechanism.
The district administration directed nodal and supervisory officers from various departments to participate with the required personnel and equipment in accordance with their designated responsibilities.
Additional Superintendent of Police Navneet Kaur Chhabra, Deputy Collector Mayanand Chandra, officials from various departments, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and Home Guards were present during the exercise.
