Goa witnessed a large-scale multi-state mock exercise on cyclone and cyclone-induced disasters, with authorities staging a series of simulated emergencies across different parts of the state to evaluate the readiness of disaster response agencies.

The exercise was conducted by the State Disaster Management Authority, Government of Goa, in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

A number of disaster scenarios were recreated as part of the drill. At Mollem in Sattari, authorities conducted a simulated evacuation after the Valvanti River was shown overflowing. At Mopa in Pernem, teams responded to a mock incident involving the collapse of a cargo building amid strong winds, followed by a hazardous chemical leak and fuel spill.

At Morjim, a scenario involving fishermen drowning during cyclone conditions was simulated. Rescue teams also responded to a mock trawler capsizing at Kharewaddo in Vasco and conducted a rough-sea fisherman rescue exercise at Palolem in Canacona.

At Candolim in Bardez, emergency teams carried out a simulated operation to rescue a tourist from the sea.

The drill also covered emergencies arising from structural damage, fire and fallen infrastructure. At Junta House in Panaji, teams conducted a simulated building-collapse rescue operation, while Verna in Salcete witnessed a mock scenario involving an electrical pole falling and triggering a fire at a pharmaceutical facility.

At Quepem, emergency responders dealt with a simulated fire involving a petrol pump canopy during tanker decanting. A cyclone-related road obstruction caused by fallen trees was recreated at Sanguem, while evacuation exercises were conducted at Ponda and Bicholim.

The exercise also tested the functioning of emergency control rooms and coordination between various government departments. Officials and nodal officers from different line departments monitored the operations from the State Level Control Room at the Secretariat in Porvorim.

North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav, IAS, reviewed the response operations at the District Emergency Operations Centre at the Collectorate. Deputy Collector (Disaster Management) Safal Shetye, Mamlatdar Pravind Gawas and officials from various departments were present during the review.

In South Goa, Collector Egna Cleetus, IAS, along with Additional Collector Ramesh Gaonkar and senior officials, assessed the response and mitigation measures from the Mathany Saldanha Administrative Complex in Margao.

In Kushavati District, Collector Gurudas S. T. Desai reviewed the simulated response operations in the presence of Additional Collector Ramesh Gaonkar, Deputy Collector Kushavati-I Laxmikant Desai and other senior officials at the Mathany Saldanha Administrative Complex.