Kohima: A large multi-agency mock drill, the Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise (NEPEx), was conducted across Nagaland this week to test disaster preparedness. As sirens sounded and a simulated crisis unfolded, agencies responded with greater coordination than in previous years. Yet on the ground, a different picture emerged.
The exercise marked the eighth edition of the state-level preparedness initiative, organised by the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) under the Home Department.
It aimed to simulate sudden and extreme disaster scenarios, strengthen coordination among departments and response agencies, and improve the effectiveness of emergency systems.
The exercise was carried out in phases. The first phase, a capacity-building programme, was held on April 2 via video conferencing with experts from Delhi.
This was followed by a Table Top Exercise (TTEx) on April 29 at the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) in Kohima, with participation from district-level emergency operations centres.
The TTEx focused on reviewing disaster management plans and coordination mechanisms ahead of the full-scale drill.
The main mock exercise took place on April 30 between 8:00 am and 12:00 noon across Nagaland.
It involved the activation of response teams and demonstrations of coordinated emergency actions such as search and rescue, evacuation and medical response.
A new component introduced this year, “Operation Night Guard”, involved a 15-minute blackout from 6:30 pm to 6:45 pm, during which citizens were expected to switch off all non-essential lights.
The Civil Defence exercise included siren activation and a temporary blackout to test emergency alert systems and public response in at least 10 districts.
NEPEx 2026 simulated a 7.7 magnitude earthquake with its epicentre at Piphema, designed to test the state’s ability to handle large-scale damage, casualties, landslides, fire incidents and communication breakdowns.
The drill involved participation from multiple departments, agencies, NGOs and volunteers, with alternative communication systems such as ham radio also being tested.
Deputy Commandant General of Home Guards, Civil Defence and SDRF, Medozhalie Pienyü, shared key observations during a debriefing session on Thursday.
Reviewing feedback from several districts, he said the absence of a robust and reliable warning system remains a major concern.
He emphasised that responsibility for establishing such systems lies with multiple stakeholders, including the state government, disaster management authorities and the Air Force.
More concerning, however, was the public response.
He pointed to shortcomings in the implementation of the blackout drill. While the power department centrally shut down electricity, public compliance was limited.
In many areas, inverter-powered lights and alternative lighting sources remained in use. In the state capital, vehicular movement continued despite protocols requiring people to halt and take shelter.
Despite the centrally enforced blackout, compliance remained minimal. In many areas, households continued using inverter and solar lighting. In Kohima and other urban centres, vehicles remained on the roads, with limited adherence to instructions to halt and seek shelter.
As the exercise highlighted a persistent gap between institutional preparedness and community readiness, he stressed the need for sustained public awareness campaigns involving the Information and Public Relations department, media organisations and local stakeholders to ensure effective response during real emergencies.
At the same time, Pienyü reported improvements in inter-agency coordination, attributing progress to repeated drills and structured preparedness efforts. Collaboration among departments, security forces and emergency responders was described as significantly better than in previous years.
However, significant infrastructure gaps persist. NSDMA Secretary Sentiwapang Aier highlighted the urgent need to upgrade critical equipment, including radio communication sets, siren systems and drone technology. He added that these shortcomings have been formally documented and will be addressed in future preparedness exercises.
Joint CEO of NSDMA, Dr Johnny Ruangmei, said the objective of the exercise was to identify gaps and strengthen preparedness. He added that such drills will be conducted twice a year, with the next round likely to be held in November.
Nagaland’s vulnerability
Nagaland’s vulnerability to disasters—particularly earthquakes, landslides, fires, floods and extreme weather events—adds urgency to such efforts.
The state falls under seismic zone V, one of the highest-risk categories, due to its location in a tectonically active region. A large number of moderate to high-magnitude earthquakes have occurred within the state and within a 100 km radius.
Altogether, twelve major earthquakes have been recorded in the region over the past 100 years, according to official records.
Historical data underscores the risk. The devastating Great Earthquake of 1950, one of the most powerful seismic events of the 20th century, had its epicentre just 7 km north of Mon, a district headquarters located about 200 km from Kohima.
The earthquake lasted nearly eight minutes, claiming around 1,500 lives and destroying approximately 2,000 houses, along with critical infrastructure. Rail and road connectivity were severely disrupted.
Earlier, the region experienced the Great Shillong Earthquake of June 12, 1897, which registered 8.7 on the Richter scale and resulted in over 1,600 fatalities, marking it as one of the most significant seismic disasters to impact the Northeast.
Nagaland falls within a very high disaster-risk zone due to its fragile geological and climatic conditions. Much of the state consists of low-lying hills with unstable rock formations, making it highly susceptible to landslides, particularly during the monsoon season from May to September.
The region also frequently experiences flash floods triggered by localised weather systems, while its position in an active tectonic setting increases vulnerability to earthquakes, posing significant risks to both life and infrastructure.
Landslides remain among the most frequent and destructive hazards in Nagaland, especially during the monsoon. Heavy and prolonged rainfall often triggers slope failures, leading to loss of life, damage to property and depletion of natural resources.
Nagaland’s terrain is predominantly hilly, with steep slopes and high-relief features across almost all districts, making it inherently vulnerable. Its geological composition, largely comprising shale and sandstone, further increases risk.
These rocks—particularly shale—are often sheared, fractured and heavily weathered. During the rainy season, saturation increases pore-water pressure, reducing soil shear strength and ultimately causing slope failure.
Repeated tectonic activity such as thrusting and faulting has weakened rock structures over time. Areas dominated by sandstone are particularly prone to rockfalls and debris slides, compounding landslide risks.
Fire disasters remain the most common hazard in Nagaland, with frequent incidents causing significant damage to property, forests and biodiversity.
A notable example occurred during the Japfü–Dzükou forest fire in 2015, when the Indian Air Force, along with officials from the Forest Department, NSDMA/DDMA and SDRF, had to be deployed to control the blaze. Such recurring incidents have destroyed large tracts of forest cover, highlighting the severity of the problem.
Urban and residential fires are also reported in large numbers each year, most commonly caused by electrical short circuits. Unlike natural disasters, such incidents are largely preventable and often stem from negligence, overloading of electrical systems, poor maintenance and disregard for safety regulations.
Windstorms, hailstorms and heavy rainfall also frequently impact the state, especially during the monsoon. In 2016 alone, about 3,759 houses were damaged across Nagaland. Districts such as Mokokchung, Longleng and Wokha reported extensive destruction to homes, infrastructure and plantations.
In Kohima, strong winds and heavy rain damaged houses, power lines and uprooted trees. In July 2018, continuous rainfall cut off road connectivity to Kiphire district, leading to shortages of essential supplies and necessitating airlifting of food and fuel.
Flooding is another recurring hazard, particularly in low-lying areas along the Assam border, such as Tuli and adjoining regions. In Dimapur, several colonies—including Super Market, Nagarjan, Burma Camp, Walford, Sachu Colony, Dobhinala, Khermahal, Netaji Colony, Naharbari and Airport areas—have remained submerged for days during severe flood events, notably in 2008.
Overall, Nagaland faces recurring multi-hazard risks—fires, landslides, storms and floods—which collectively cause widespread damage to infrastructure, livelihoods and the environment.
Disaster Management Plan
Recognising these vulnerabilities, the Nagaland State Disaster Management Plan was tabled during the 8th Session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
The plan highlights the urgent need to develop a comprehensive database covering housing types, damage assessments and the resilience of critical infrastructure, including highways, bridges, water supply systems, wastewater networks, electricity grids, telecommunications and healthcare facilities.
The Government of Nagaland adopts a holistic approach to disaster management, addressing both micro- and macro-level challenges. This ensures the involvement of state agencies, district authorities, NGOs, stakeholders and traditional village councils, extending down to individual village units. The plan integrates national and state policies while incorporating indigenous knowledge and traditional coping mechanisms developed by local tribal communities.
Emphasising a proactive and sustainable strategy, the framework outlines measures to strengthen preparedness, response and recovery at state, district and village levels. It stresses that disaster management must be people-centric, encouraging active community participation and leveraging the strong social and tribal networks inherent in Nagaland’s society.
The framework also envisions the enactment of a Disaster Management Act and mandates each district to develop its own plan aligned with national and international standards, ensuring a structured and resilient approach to disaster preparedness and mitigation across the state.
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