Authorities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are set to conduct a state-level communication mock exercise on earthquake and tsunami preparedness across the archipelago on March 16, aimed at testing the effectiveness of emergency warning systems and inter-agency coordination during disasters.
The exercise will take place between 9.30 am and 11.30 am and will be organised by the Directorate of Disaster Management of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration in coordination with multiple emergency support agencies. Key institutions involved in the drill include the Andaman and Nicobar Command, the National Disaster Response Force and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services.
Officials said the exercise will primarily focus on evaluating the efficiency of disaster communication networks, early warning dissemination channels and emergency alert mechanisms that are expected to operate during major natural calamities such as earthquakes and tsunamis. The islands fall in a seismically sensitive zone and remain vulnerable to seismic disturbances in the Bay of Bengal region, making disaster preparedness a critical administrative priority.
During the exercise, authorities will simulate the activation of emergency siren systems at designated locations across the islands. These sirens will be sounded as part of the early warning simulation intended to test how quickly and effectively alerts can reach different areas. Officials clarified that the siren activation is purely part of the mock exercise and does not indicate any real emergency situation.
The drill will largely focus on testing communication channels and coordination procedures rather than physical field operations. Authorities stated that various communication modes used by emergency response agencies will be checked and verified during the exercise. This includes systems used for alert dissemination, information relay between departments and communication with emergency response teams operating across different islands.
By conducting the mock exercise simultaneously across the islands, disaster management authorities aim to assess the level of preparedness among various departments and emergency response agencies that would be required to act quickly in the event of a major natural disaster. The test will also help authorities identify potential gaps in communication systems and improve coordination protocols among agencies responsible for disaster response.
Officials emphasised that the exercise will not disrupt normal public life. Essential services and routine public services will continue as usual during the drill. No evacuation activities or physical response operations are planned as part of the exercise, and therefore residents will not experience any interruption in daily services.
Residents across the islands have been advised not to panic when they hear emergency sirens during the scheduled exercise period. Authorities reiterated that the sirens are part of a planned simulation and do not indicate an actual tsunami or earthquake warning.
Disaster management authorities have appealed to the public to cooperate with the exercise, noting that such drills play a crucial role in strengthening preparedness and response systems in disaster-prone regions. The administration stated that community awareness and public participation are essential elements of effective disaster response strategies.
The March 16 exercise is part of ongoing efforts by the administration to strengthen disaster communication systems and ensure that early warning mechanisms function efficiently during emergencies. Officials believe that periodic testing of such systems helps improve readiness, coordination and public safety across the geographically dispersed islands of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.
