Haryana: In a proactive move to strengthen disaster preparedness ahead of the monsoon season, the Haryana government has announced a state-wide flood mock drill scheduled for May 14, covering 13 highly vulnerable districts, including Gurugram and Faridabad. The exercise is being seen as a crucial step to test emergency response systems and improve coordination among multiple agencies in real-time flood scenarios.
Officials said the drill is being organised under the guidance of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department of Haryana in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The exercise is part of the annual disaster preparedness calendar and aims to ensure that the state is fully equipped to handle potential flood emergencies during the rainy season.
According to the official plan, the mock drill will not be a single-day event but will unfold in multiple structured phases. The first phase will begin on May 6 with an orientation and coordination conference conducted through video conferencing. This will bring together district officials, disaster response teams, and other stakeholders to align roles and responsibilities.
The second phase is scheduled for May 12, when a table-top exercise will be conducted. During this stage, officials will simulate various flood scenarios on paper to evaluate preparedness, response strategies, and coordination gaps between departments.
The final and most critical stage will take place on May 14, when a full-scale physical mock drill will be conducted on the ground across all 13 districts. Emergency response teams, including district administration, police, health services, and disaster management units, will actively participate in simulated rescue and relief operations.
The selected districts for this exercise include Gurugram, Faridabad, Ambala, Fatehabad, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, Panipat, Palwal, Sirsa, Sonipat, and Yamunanagar. These areas have been identified as flood-prone due to their proximity to rivers, canals, and low-lying geographical conditions, making them more vulnerable during heavy rainfall.
Officials have emphasised that the primary objective of the exercise is to test disaster management plans, standard operating procedures, and inter-departmental coordination systems. It will also evaluate how effectively different agencies can function under the Incident Response System (IRS) during emergencies.
Beyond testing systems, the drill also aims to identify gaps in manpower, equipment, communication networks, and logistics so that corrective measures can be taken before the monsoon intensifies. Authorities believe that early identification of weaknesses will help in preventing large-scale damage and loss of life during actual flood situations.
Another key focus of the initiative is public awareness and community participation. Residents in vulnerable areas will be sensitised about emergency protocols, evacuation procedures, and safety measures to follow during flood-like conditions. Officials say community response plays a crucial role in reducing casualties during natural disasters.
Experts note that such mock drills are increasingly important for rapidly urbanising regions like Gurugram and Faridabad, where infrastructure pressure and unplanned growth often worsen the impact of extreme weather events. Strengthening preparedness at both administrative and community levels is therefore seen as essential.
Overall, the upcoming flood mock drill on May 14 represents a major preparedness exercise for Haryana, aiming to ensure that the state’s emergency response system is not only well-coordinated but also capable of responding swiftly and effectively in real-life disaster situations.
