In a proactive move to assess and enhance emergency preparedness, Delhi witnessed a comprehensive disaster management mock drill across 55 locations on Friday morning, August 1, 2025. This multi-agency simulation exercise, dubbed Exercise Suraksha Chakra, tested the capital's response capacity in the event of a major earthquake and accompanying chemical hazards in industrial and transportation zones.

The drill was jointly organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in coordination with the Indian Army and the respective governments of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, all under the umbrella of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).

The initiative involved all 11 districts of Delhi, and extended across parts of the National Capital Region (NCR), with synchronised drills taking place in neighbouring districts of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

A Full-Scale Preparedness Test: Simulated Earthquake and Chemical Leak

The mock drill commenced with a simulated earthquake scenario. Officials stated that the hypothetical quake was designed to mimic a medium-intensity tremor affecting structural and transportation infrastructure, followed by industrial chemical leaks in key zones such as Bawana, Okhla, Narela, and Mayapuri.

Each participating location saw on-ground response from emergency services, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police, Civil Defence Volunteers, Hospitals, Ambulance Services, and District Magistrate Offices.

A total of over 5,000 personnel were involved in the simulation, with field-level activities ranging from evacuation drills, rescue operations, triage management, casualty evacuation, to chemical decontamination procedures.

The Delhi Metro, Northern Railway, and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) also participated, enacting disruptions and rerouting in response to the mock quake scenario.

Multi-State, Multi-Agency Exercise Under ‘Suraksha Chakra’

The mock drill was the culminating field exercise of ‘Exercise Suraksha Chakra’, an inter-state initiative aimed at strengthening disaster readiness across Delhi-NCR. According to the NDMA, the exercise followed weeks of tabletop simulations, inter-agency planning sessions, and scenario development.

The participation of the Indian Army in this civil drill adds a significant layer of coordination between military and civilian institutions. The Army’s Medical Corps, Engineering units, and Logistics teams took part in drills simulating mass rescue and rapid bridge-laying for potential evacuation routes.

“The objective of Suraksha Chakra is to bring together multiple stakeholders in a coordinated simulation to test the actual readiness of our cities and districts,” said an NDMA spokesperson. “Delhi, being a seismic Zone IV city with high industrial density, needs this level of preparedness.”

Key Drill Scenarios Implemented Across the Capital

Each district conducted specific activities, with scenarios tailored to local risk profiles. For instance:

• South-East Delhi (Okhla Industrial Area): Simulation of a chemical spill from a tanker accident. Fire and HazMat teams conducted evacuation and containment drills.

• North Delhi (Burari and Bawana): Simulated building collapse due to seismic vibrations, with canine rescue units and crane operations engaged in debris clearance.

• West Delhi (Mayapuri): Industrial chemical fire scenario with smoke simulation, triage camps, and public address system testing.

• East Delhi (Laxmi Nagar): Evacuation drills in schools and commercial complexes, with focus on civilian awareness and public messaging.

In addition, mock casualties were staged to test hospitals’ readiness. Ambulance routing, emergency admission protocols, and blood bank activation were all part of the drill.

Hospitals such as LNJP, GTB, RML, and AIIMS were involved in the coordinated effort, along with private partners like Max Healthcare and Apollo Hospitals, which activated their emergency wards in mock real-time.

High-Level Monitoring and Real-Time Feedback

Senior officials from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, NDMA, DDMA, and NCR Planning Board monitored the drill through a central control room set up at Delhi Secretariat. Live drone feeds, GPS tracking of responder units, and incident reports from district magistrates were compiled in real-time.

“This is not just a symbolic exercise,” said Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar. “Every step taken in today’s drill is being reviewed. A final report will highlight what worked and where improvements are needed.”

Feedback mechanisms included observer teams placed at every site, with officers from unrelated districts or states auditing the drill for impartial evaluation.

Why This Drill Matters: Delhi’s Unique Risk Profile

Delhi is classified under seismic Zone IV, making it highly vulnerable to moderate to severe earthquakes. Moreover, its dense population, aging infrastructure, and concentration of hazardous industries amplify disaster risks.

Past events, such as the Bhuj earthquake in 2001, the Latur quake in 1993, and the Bhopal gas tragedy, have demonstrated how unprepared cities can suffer catastrophic losses.

As Delhi continues to grow both vertically and horizontally, the need for disaster resilience is more urgent than ever. Climate change has also brought increased frequency of extreme weather events, adding to urban stress.

Officials stated that regular drills help identify:

• Gaps in inter-agency coordination

• Weaknesses in emergency communication

• Lack of public awareness and preparedness

• Response time lag and logistical delays

Public Awareness and Citizen Involvement

This year’s exercise also included a citizen outreach campaign. Over the past week, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority ran social media advisories, community meetings, and school-level preparedness sessions to inform the public about the drill.

In areas like Saket, Karol Bagh, and Rohini, local Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) were involved in neighbourhood drills.

Volunteers from NSS, NCC, and local NGOs played the role of mock victims and assisted in crowd management.

The aim, officials stressed, was to make emergency drills part of the public safety culture, not just a government formality.

Road Ahead: Post-Drill Evaluation and Policy Reform

The findings of Exercise Suraksha Chakra will now be compiled into an After Action Report (AAR). This document will be submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Chief Ministers of the NCR states.

Key focus areas in the report will include:

• Time taken to mobilise responders

• Effectiveness of communication systems

• Availability and deployment of equipment

• Capacity of hospitals to absorb sudden influx

Recommendations may also include reform in building codes, hazard zoning, emergency fund allocation, and training modules for first responders.

In future, such drills may be expanded to include nuclear/radiological threat simulations, urban flooding scenarios, and biohazard containment.

Conclusion: Preparing for the Unpredictable

The disaster mock drill across Delhi on August 1 is a timely and necessary intervention in a city that houses over 3 crore people and serves as the nerve centre of India’s political, economic, and administrative operations.

By simulating real threats and rehearsing coordinated responses, Delhi is taking a critical step toward becoming disaster-resilient and life-protective. It is a reminder that in disasters, preparedness is not a luxury—it is survival.

As the report from the exercise is compiled, citizens, authorities, and institutions must together turn this drill into a catalyst for stronger safety culture across India’s megacities.

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