Delhi-NCR to Hold Mega Mock Disaster Drill on August 1
Authorities in Delhi-NCR will conduct a large-scale mock disaster drill on August 1, 2025, simulating a high-intensity earthquake and chemical emergency scenario. The exercise, named ‘Exercise Suraksha Chakra’, is being led by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with the governments of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
This will be the first time such an extensive multi-agency drill is conducted across the entire National Capital Region. The goal is to assess emergency preparedness, improve coordination among agencies, and increase public awareness about disaster response.
Timeline and Scope of the Drill
The four-day exercise began on July 29 with a policy-level symposium on disaster risk reduction. A tabletop simulation was conducted on July 30, where district officials ran through planning protocols and resource deployment strategies.
On August 1, the final phase will involve a field-level simulation across 18 districts, including all 11 districts of Delhi, as well as selected districts in Haryana (Gurugram, Faridabad, Palwal, Nuh, Rewari) and Uttar Pradesh (Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar).
What the Public Should Expect
Residents are advised not to panic. The drill will include visible emergency operations such as ambulances, fire trucks, police teams, and military units on the move. Public alert systems like sirens and announcements may also be activated. Emergency command posts, rescue camps, and mock medical response units will be temporarily set up in various locations.
Objective and Preparedness Goals
The drill aims to evaluate response time, communication, and joint operations among agencies like the NDRF, state police, fire services, health departments, and civic bodies. It also seeks to identify operational gaps and enhance readiness for real-life disaster scenarios.
Officials emphasized that public safety is a shared responsibility, and such drills are crucial to prepare citizens and systems for unexpected disasters.
