Sikkim Executes Multi-Hazard Mock Drill Across Six Districts

IPR, GANGTOK, NOV 18, 2025 :  A simulated multi-hazard disaster mock drill on earthquake, landslides, and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) was successfully conducted across all six districts of Sikkim today. The exercise was organised by the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim and Responsible Officer, R Telang monitored the exercise from the SSDMA Control Centre along with Secretary, Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department cum Relief Commissioner, Mr Rinzing Chewang Bhutia, Secretary, Home Department, Mr Tenzing Kaelon, and Heads of Departments of various line departments.

The statewide drill was supervised by Rtd Major General Mr Sudhir Bahl, in the presence of Major General Mr Mahipal Singh Rathore, GOC, 17th Mountain Division, and officials from NDMA, NDRF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, BRO, senior officials of the Army, HODs from line departments, and SSDMA personnel.

The exercise commenced in the morning with the simulation of an earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, striking the state at 9:03 AM with its epicentre at 27.5°N, 88.3°E, approximately 45 km from Gangtok, at a focal depth of 15 km. The event was declared a ‘Disaster’ under Section 22(2)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Emergency meetings were convened across all districts, activating the Incident Response System (IRS) to coordinate rescue and relief operations. Essential Support Functions were placed on high alert to ensure rapid mobilisation of personnel and resources. District hospitals were put under emergency response mode, providing immediate medical services. Search and rescue operations were initiated and closely monitored across affected sites.

Due to severe disruption in telecommunication networks, BSNL and private telecom operators were directed to expedite restoration work. District administrations simultaneously worked to restore vital services, including electricity, drinking water, health services, and roadway access. A significant aftershock measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale was later reported at 4:51 PM, 32 km northwest of Gangtok, confirmed by the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The secondary tremor further stressed already compromised infrastructure and heightened the operational load on responding agencies.

A total of 20 relief camps have been set up, accommodating 3,152 inmates. Animal loss has been reported at 1,469. Additionally, 272 houses have been fully damaged and 164 houses severely damaged. Infrastructure damage includes 6 roads and bridges, 16 power stations, 1 hospital/PHC, 1 school, and 13 drinking water supply systems across districts.

Reports from the Army stationed at Muguthang indicated a rise in the water level of the Lachen Chu river basin due to a moraine breach at Sako Chu, posing an imminent GLOF threat to the Teesta river basin. This development may impact Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Namchi districts. The Central Water Commission (CWC) also reported rising water levels in the Rangit Basin from Tikip Lake, Bhalay Pokhari, and Dodok Pokhari, potentially affecting Soreng and Gyalshing districts.

In response to the escalating seismic and hydro-meteorological threats, SSDMA has been continuously monitoring the situation across all districts. Three additional columns of NDRF have been requisitioned from West Bengal and will be airlifted directly to critical locations starting 18 November 2025 from Bagdogra Airport.

The Food Department and Rural Development Department have been instructed to mobilise additional food stocks and relief materials. The Indian Air Force has begun sorties to deliver essential supplies and evacuate stranded tourists from Mangan district via Chaten heliport. Medical evacuations for local residents are being prioritised. The Transport Department has arranged additional transport services for affected citizens and tourists, ensuring movement between Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Siliguri, West Bengal. All essential departments have been instructed to restock critical supplies and ensure last-mile delivery under challenging conditions.

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been assigned to lead search and rescue operations across districts with coordinated support from NDRF teams. SSDMA is maintaining continuous communication with the National Center for Seismology and issuing public advisories through the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) for timely dissemination of information. During the exercise, R Telang advised the public to switch their mobile devices to Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) mode to maintain communication during temporary network outages. ICR enables mobile phones to connect automatically to another available network within the same telecom circle when the primary network becomes weak, ensuring uninterrupted access to essential communication.

Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority played a central and critical role in ensuring the seamless execution of the multi-hazard mock drill across all six districts. The Authority coordinated inter-departmental communication, mobilised emergency response teams, ensured timely activation of district-level Incident Command structures, supervised the involvement of specialised agencies such as NDRF, SDRF, and the Armed Forces, and monitored real-time field reports from the State Control Centre. SSDMA facilitated uniform implementation of IRS protocols, enabled uninterrupted information flow, synchronised emergency resource deployment, and ensured that each district executed its hazard-specific scenario effectively. Through its strategic direction and integrated coordination framework, SSDMA ensured that the mock drill achieved its objectives of strengthening preparedness, enhancing inter-agency synergy, and assessing operational readiness at scale.