A REPORT OF STATE LEVEL MEGA MOCK EXERCISE ON EARTHQUAKE DISASTER IN THE STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH ON 11th July 2019 HELD IN DISTRICT KULLU ORGANISED BY STATE DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY, H.P. IN COLLABORATION WITH NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA PRESENTED BY DISTRICT DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY DISTRICT KULLU 1 | P a g e 1. Introduction Due to the geological setting and position of Himachal Pradesh in the lap of the mighty Himalayas, it is prone to the effects of seismicity since time invincible. Earthquakes are the single largest concern for the nations of the world including India as they take heavy toll on human life, destroying belongings and infrastructures with far –reaching economic and social consequences for the communities. As per the vulnerability atlas of India, the state profile of Himachal Pradesh comes under Seismic Zone – IV & V of high and very high risk zone intensity liable to VIII, IX and above on Modified Mercalli Scale (Fig. 1). Himalayan Region that has been formed as result of Plate Tectonic collision of the Indo- Eurasian plates is vulnerable to earthquake of 8.0 and above Richter scale magnitude. The effect of which has been seen over the past years and recently during the Nepal earthquake in May, 2015. Fig.1: Kullu Earthquake Hazard Risk Zonation Map Himachal Pradesh, however, has not experienced major seismicity since 1905, 4th April earthquake of Kangra which was on the Richter scale of 7. 8 magnitude located on the Main Boundary Thrust. It resulted in 19727 deaths, severely causing large scale damage to properties. At the same time District Kullu had 330 deaths in Sultanpur area, 180 in Siraj and 240 in Outer Siraj (Baduwi, 1905 in Singh, V.B. 2011). This for District Kullu is also considered as the worst disaster ever. However, the region also again experienced another earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter scale the following year in 1906 with epicenter near Karshing but losses of it are not known. Recently on 27th August 2017 Anni Sub Division within District Kullu experienced a seismic activity of 4.6 on the Richter scale, which had its epicenters near Rampur –Anni belt within Districts of Shimla – Kullu. Thus, over the years several low to medium 2 | P a g e intensity earthquakes have been experienced regularly in this area with the latest one on 31st January 2018 with epicenter in Hindukush belt. Earthquakes being non-predictable and without early warning, calls for building capacities of functionaries and communities in various facets for coping with earthquake disasters which are regarded as one of the worst disasters of all, with respect to life and economic loss. With the efforts of conducting various training and other preparedness and mitigation programmes within State of Himachal Pradesh, mock exercise for earthquakes will definitely strengthen both the State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMA), various stakeholder departments, including the Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs) both at the state and district levels for times of emergencies. Hence, to meet any kind of emergency situations like earthquake disasters, it is important that administrators as well as public is prepared in advance to meet the challenges and to minimize the extent of damage both to life and property. It is important to have a well laid out rescue and relief plan, with a well- defined developmental approach, as it is the underprivileged and the vulnerable groups that are the worst affected by natural disasters. Thus, the success of any disaster management plan depends largely on the participation of the community alongside with the authorities for overcoming large scale incidents of disasters like earthquakes. 2. District Profile Kullu district forms the eastern part of central Himachal Pradesh positioned between 31058’00” North latitude and 77006,04” East longitudes, located at an altitude of 1,279 m (4,196 ft) with total area of 54771 hectares. It is surrounded by the districts of Kangra to the north and north- west, Mandi to the west, Shimla to the south, Kinnaur to the south –east and Lahaul and Spiti to the eastern side. It has three major rivers Beas and Parvati flowing within its territory and Satluj on its southern boundary with District Shimla. The following table 1 displays its administrative set up: 3 | P a g e Table 1: Administrative Profile of District Kullu Administrative set-up Zonal Headquarter Kullu Sub Division (04) Manali ,Kullu, Banjar and Anni Tehsil (05) Kullu, Nirmand, Banjar , Manali and Bhuntar Sub Tehsils (03) Sainj, Anni and Neether Administrative Division Blocks 5 Nos. Towns 4 Nos. Total villages 326 Nos. The total population of district Kullu is 4, 37,903 (2011 census) of which male population is 2,25,452 and female population is 2, 12,451. However the rural population (3, 96,512) is higher in District Kullu than its urban population (41,391), while its total number of households is only 94,807. Keeping with the demographic statistics of this region, the earthquake Hazard and Risk assessment for approximately 53% area lying in Zone V and about 47 % lying in Zone IV of District Kullu is as below: Table 2: Earthquake Hazard/ Risk Assessment - District Kullu Hazard Characteristic Who /What at Probability Vulnerability Rank Risk (Rate) (Rate) (PXV) District falls in Human & Zone IV &V Cattle Life Buildings & Houses Kuccha & Pucca House within District not VH VH Earthquake Earthquake resilient 2 (1) (1) Damages can be Community High & Infrastructure Power Projects Lifeline structures 4 | P a g e 3. Objectives of the State Level Mega Exercise Based on the earthquake assessment of District Kullu, the objectives undertaken for the Mega Mock exercise based on scenario of 8.0 Mw on the Richter scale with epicentre at Mandi (Sunder Nagar) were as below: 1. Review of the Disaster plan of the District 2. To evaluate overall preparedness and functioning of various stakeholders 3. To enhance coordination and Synergy among the various Emergency Support Functions both at state and district level 4. To highlight the roles and responsibilities of Stakeholder departments in managing disasters like earthquakes 5. Activation of Incident Response System (IRS) within the district 6. To identify lacunae in the preparedness and response system of various IRS Units with regards to resources, manpower, equipment, communication, transportation, etc. 7. Incorporating lessons learnt after the Drill for further preparedness of earthquake mitigation. 4. Methodology The State Level Mega Exercise held on 11th July, 2019 within District Kullu was a joint effort of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Home Affairs and Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, based on scenario building process due to non- predictability of seismicity and its intensity. The sites within District Kullu were selected keeping with the risk and vulnerability levels with regards to the community and the infrastructure. The conduction of the Mega Mock drill was based on the system of Incident Response System. 5 | P a g e 5. Scenario The scenario consisted of an earthquake occurrence of magnitude 8.0 on the Richter scale with epicenter near Mandi at Sunder Nagar (Fig.2) at Early Morning. The tremors were experienced by whole of North North-Western States of India. Under the worst scenario of the earthquake for the State of H.P. Major communication lines including mobile network was affected, power lines and major roads damaged, with a fear of large scale damage to property and heavy number of casualties. Based on Scenario within District Kullu it was estimated that total percentage of injured persons were 16.1% and dead as 2.5% of the total population lying in Zone IV and V. The effect of the earthquake was also felt in neighbouring States of Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Fig. 2: Earthquake Scenario Intensity Map 6. Stages for Preparedness for the Earthquake Mock Exercise The State level Mega Mock Exercise was conducted in Four Stages within District Kullu. First three stages comprised of the pre preparedness process for the actual exercise to be held on 11th July, 2019. 6.1. Stage I: Orientation & Coordinating Conference. Date: 3rd July, 2019. Venue: Conference Hall, Armsdale Building Secretariat Shimla Presided over by: Chief Secretary Government of Himachal Pradesh 6 | P a g e It was attended by the Deputy Commissioner, Kullu Dr. Richa Verma. It provided an overview to the key state officials to acquaint themselves with the Mega Mock Exercise and capture learning and understanding of various steps under IRS, for conduct of Mega Mock Exercise. 6.2. Stage II: Preparedness Meeting for Earthquake Exercise Date: 8th July, 2019 Venue: Zila Parishad Conference Hall Presided over by: Deputy Commissioner, Kullu Dr. Richa Verma Meeting was attended by the SDM’s, ASP Kullu, Para- military forces, Civil Defence, DDMA members and heads of all Stakeholder Departments within District Kullu. Picture 1: Preparedness meeting presided over by Deputy Commissioner Kullu Major preparedness points discussed were as below: The earthquake exercise should be a bottom –up approach Selection of Sites and earmarking of Staging areas SDM‟s of Anni, Banjar and Manali to conduction Earthquake drill at Sub Division levels, by selecting one site of incidence each, in order to have a wider analysis and over view of the earthquake disaster preparedness within the district Sub Division Kullu to be combined with District Headquarter 7 | P a g e Notification of IRS within District Kullu and incorporating IRS for the Emergency Response Plan of the District and its working during all type of emergencies Preparing the inventory and human resource by all Stakeholder Departments To make preparations as per District Disaster Management Plan and their respective departmental plans taking into consideration Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) Intimating the Paramilitary forces and Airport Authority of India regarding the earthquake drill.