Kohima, Apr 30: Nagaland Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen on Wednesday stressed the need for realistic evaluation and stronger inter-agency coordination in disaster response mechanisms.
Addressing a meeting at the State Emergency Operation Centre, Imchen said the core objective of the eighth edition of the Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise (NEPEx) 2026 was not to showcase performance but to identify gaps and challenges in the system.
The chief secretary, who is also Chairman of the State Executive Committee of Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority, said disaster preparedness is a continuous and evolving process, and such exercises should be used as platforms to strengthen emergency response systems.
He said NEPEx 2026, scheduled to be conducted across the state on Thursday, aims to assess the preparedness of stakeholders, test and validate standard operating procedures (SOPs), and improve coordination among departments for a unified response during disasters.
“The exercise will also evaluate critical systems, identify weaknesses, and enhance community awareness and resilience,” he said.
Imchen said a simulated 7.7-magnitude earthquake scenario would be enacted, leading to widespread infrastructure damage, communication breakdowns, and pressure on healthcare services, along with secondary hazards such as landslides and fires.
He said multiple agencies, including district administrations, security forces, paramilitary units, healthcare services, urban local bodies, village councils, NGOs and church organisations, would participate in a coordinated manner.
Urging all departments and districts to be candid in their assessments, Imchen said the focus should remain on identifying shortcomings so that systems can be improved.
Home Commissioner Abhijit Sinha said disaster preparedness requires more than planning and called for strong coordination, clarity in command structures, and efficient communication.
He urged participants to treat the exercise seriously and focus on identifying gaps rather than demonstrating perfection. (PTI)
