Bhubaneswar: In an effort to build disaster preparedness and resilience at all levels, Table Top Exercises (TTEx) on cyclones and flood scenarios were conducted on Sunday at district, block, and ULB levels. Such TTEx is being conducted annually with objectives to highlight roles and responsibilities of departments/stakeholders; check the adequacy and effectiveness of the department’s Disaster Management Plans; enhance the coordination among different stakeholders for better response; and, identify gaps, if any, in the resources, manpower, equipment, communication, and systems.
The district-level Table Top Exercises were conducted under the chairmanship of the district Collectors and Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). At the Block-level, TTEx was chaired by the Chairperson of Panchayati Samitis. Similarly, at the ULB level, TTEx was presided over by the Mayor/Chairman of the ULB. State-level observers from OSDMA and the office of the Special Relief Commissioner visited different districts to observe the exercises at district/block/ULB levels.
Following a simulated cyclone/flood alert issued by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), and line department officials participated in the tabletop exercises and presented their preparedness plans to manage the disaster in their respective districts. Subsequently, a debriefing was done on the Table Top Exercise. TTEx highlighted the best practices in managing disasters and areas where improvements are to be made to mainstream disaster risk reduction and resilience.
