A massive earthquake of 9.2 magnitude was simulated on Wednesday morning in Indonesia, as the part of which a today evacuation drill will conducted in the coastlines of 23 countries including India.
An earthquake of such intensity can bring cities to a grinding halt causing heavy casualties and damage. Andaman and Nicobar and Chennai are among the most vulnerable regions, including the entire Indian coast.
In this massive evac operation, UNESCO and Indian authorities will join hands to bring 40,000 people to safety in less than three hours.
Image courtesy: www.tes.com
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Earth Sciences, The National Disaster Management Authority and the local district administrations of coastal districts are participating in this 15-hour long drill that will happen in 10 states and union territories.
Active evacuation is being conducted in Andaman and Nicobar, while bulletins and warnings are being issued to people in other coastal regions.
The drill will go on till Thursday as an earthquake of 9 magnitude will be simulated in the Makran Trench, south of Iran and Pakistan.
Reportedly, India’s west coast, including Mumbai, will be in the path of a tsunami caused by such an earthquake.
Indian Tsunami Early Warning Center in Hyderabad will monitor the event and will record the magnitude of an earthquake within the first 10 minutes.
Mock drills can prepare a lot of people for the actual calamity. India’s coastline stretching for 7,500 km is at risk and drills like these will keep the system and the people aware about the procedures, actions and precautions.
