Delhi recreates 7.8 quake in biggest ever mock drill

New Delhi, Feb 15: Delhi intends to be better prepared in events of natural calamities like earthquake and on this front, it was all geared up for a massive emergency drill. The drill recreated the events that would unfold in case a deadly earthquake strikes. As part of the same, the capital assumed that for 48 seconds, an earthquake of 7.8 magnitude was shaking Delhi. The drill was carried out at 11:30am.

Organized by the National Disaster Management Authority, the drills were carried out in several places including the six Metro stations, across the national capital. The metro stations saw a partial shut-down for over half-an-hour and traffic in many areas in Central, South and North Delhi were diverted as part of the exercise, causing inconvenience.

Simulated situations were also staged like collapse of flyovers, crack in metro pillars, damage to hospitals and collapse of residential buildings due to the imaginary 7.8 magnitude quake in Delhi. Officials from the Emergency Support Functionary departments like police, MCD, DMRC, Health department, Delhi Jal Board and Food and Civil Supplies have been coordinating with senior officials of all the nine districts in the capital to make the drill a success.

50,000 volunteers joined hands to make the drill a success with buzzing places like Khan Market and Karkardooma shut down for close to half an hour impacting business. The fact that Delhi is located in a high-risk seismic IV zone led to authorities plan for such a massive drill. Many residents also received SMSs on Wednesday morning that said, "Today @ 11:30am the Delhi wide Mega Mock Drill on Disaster Preparedness is happening! For locations visit http://ddma.delhi.gov.in."

OneIndia News