Chandigarh, May 12 — The Haryana Government will conduct a large-scale State-level flood mock drill simultaneously across 13 flood-prone districts on May 14. The exercise, being organised in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), is being described as one of the most comprehensive disaster preparedness exercises ever undertaken in the state.
The large-scale exercise is part of Haryana’s broader strategy to improve institutional preparedness and ensure better coordination among departments and emergency agencies in the wake of recent flood experiences in 2023 and 2025. Addressing a Table Top Exercise and orientation session ahead of the mock drill, Financial Commissioner Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Dr. Sumita Misra said the state government has drawn valuable lessons from previous flood situations and is now focusing on proactive preparedness instead of reactive response.
Dr. Misra said the upcoming exercise is far more than a routine simulation. “This is a practical preparedness initiative designed to strengthen Haryana’s capability to respond effectively to future flood emergencies,” she stated, underlining the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and minimising disaster-related losses through advance planning and coordinated action.
The flood mock exercise will be conducted simultaneously in Gurugram, Ambala, Faridabad, Fatehabad, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, Panipat, Palwal, Sirsa, Sonipat and Yamunanagar districts. To ensure realistic emergency simulations, the drill will be organised at two separate locations in each district, allowing authorities to assess operational readiness and response mechanisms at multiple levels.
The exercise will involve coordinated participation from various government departments, police, health services, Fire and Emergency Services, SDRF, NDRF and local administrative teams. Officers believe the initiative will significantly strengthen inter-agency coordination and emergency response efficiency during actual flood situations.
One of the key highlights of the exercise is the emphasis on community participation and grassroots involvement. Aapda Mitra volunteers, Indian Red Cross Society members, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, Bharat Scouts and Guides, NYKS volunteers and several local NGOs will actively participate in the drill.
Dr. Misra stressed that disaster management cannot succeed without community involvement and public awareness. She directed all district administrations to ensure adequate publicity ahead of the exercise so that citizens understand that the activities are part of a planned mock drill and not a real emergency situation. She also instructed officers to ensure complete safety for civilians and students during the exercise.
The mock drill will also benefit from national-level expertise. Brigadier Ravinder Gurung (Retd.), Senior Consultant with NDMA, will supervise and guide the exercise from the State Headquarters. In addition, officers from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority — Mukta Ram Deka and Kishore Dutta — will participate in the exercise, reflecting growing inter-state cooperation and exchange of best practices in disaster management.
District administrations have also been directed to verify the availability and operational readiness of resources listed on the India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN) portal to ensure that emergency resources are not only documented but are actually functional and accessible during crises.
The Haryana Government has made it clear that the exercise is intended to become part of a long-term improvement process. Dr. Sumita Misra directed that learnings and observations emerging from the Table Top Exercise and the May 14 mock drill will be documented and integrated into future disaster preparedness policies and response strategies across the state.
With the government, administration, emergency agencies and community organisations working in close coordination, Haryana is positioning itself as a proactive and disaster-ready state. The May 14 exercise is being viewed as a landmark step in transforming disaster management from a reactive system into a robust culture of preparedness and resilience.
Sh. Krishna S. Vatsa, Member, NDRF, emphasized the effective utilization of resources available with NDRF and SDRF. He also stressed the importance of coordination with early warning systems to mitigate emerging situations effectively.
The meeting was attended by Sh. Dusmanta Kumar Behera, Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Sh. Rahul Hooda, Special Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Col. J. S. Sandhu, Advisor Civil Military Affairs, Western Command Chandi Mandir, Sh. Rishi Mahajan, Second in Command, 7th Battalion NDRF, Bhatinda, Sh. Surender Paul, Director, Meteorological Centre, IMD, Chandigarh.
