A large-scale mock disaster management exercise simulating an earthquake followed by a tsunami was conducted across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, testing the preparedness and response capabilities of various departments, armed forces, and emergency support agencies.
The exercise, titled Inter-State Mock Exercise (ISME–2025), was organized by the Directorate of Disaster Management, A&N Administration, in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), A&N Command, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and district administrations. The simulation aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Incident Response System (IRS) and coordination mechanisms among multiple stakeholders.
The mock drill began at 8:45 a.m. when INCOIS, Hyderabad, simulated an earthquake detection, followed by a tsunami alert at 8:46 a.m. to local authorities. Sirens were activated across the islands, alerting residents and triggering evacuation protocols. District administrations and emergency teams swiftly deployed Incident Response Teams (IRTs) to conduct rescue and relief operations at designated sites.
Search and Rescue operations were supported by NDRF units and A&N Command, which also carried out aerial surveys and airdropping operations over low-lying areas in North & Middle Andaman and Nicobar districts. Departments including Police, APWD, Shipping, Education, and PBMC participated in coordinated field activities such as evacuation, medical response, and relief camp setup.
A Command and Control Centre was established at Aapda Prabandhan Bhawan, Sri Vijaya Puram, where all communications were routed through the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC). Officials including the Secretary (Disaster Management), Director (Disaster Management), and representatives from NDMA monitored the operations from the Situation Room, maintaining real-time coordination with district EOCs via video conferencing.
Communication systems such as hotlines, satellite phones, and VHF sets were used as alternate channels to maintain contact with field units. Requests for manpower, equipment, and relief materials were processed immediately to simulate emergency resource allocation under real conditions.
In South Andaman, drills were conducted across multiple tehsils, Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep, and Little Andaman, covering key locations including Flag Point, JNRM, Bambooflat Jetty, and Junglighat Jetty. Similar activities were undertaken in North & Middle Andaman and Nicobar districts, ensuring comprehensive island-wide participation.
Observers from NDMA, including Senior Consultant (Retd.) Aditya Kumar, visited the sites to assess the efficiency of the Incident Response System and evaluate field coordination. The exercise concluded with an “All Clear” message issued from the SEOC, signalling the completion of all simulation stages.
A debriefing session chaired by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Disaster Management) reviewed the performance of participating agencies. Officials discussed lessons learned, identified operational gaps, and emphasized the need for continuous improvement in preparedness levels. NDMA experts praised the proactive coordination between the Administration, NDRF, ANC, and other agencies, while urging regular drills to sustain readiness.
The Administration expressed satisfaction with the overall execution and noted visible improvement compared to previous exercises. It also highlighted the value of public awareness generated through community participation. The Directorate of Disaster Management reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening institutional capacities, integrating technology, and enhancing early warning systems to ensure faster and more coordinated responses to potential disasters in the future.
The successful conduct of ISME–2025 reaffirmed the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ growing capacity in disaster management and multi-agency coordination, serving as a crucial benchmark in the region’s ongoing efforts to build a resilient and prepared island community.
