Haryana: Haryana is preparing for a large-scale disaster readiness exercise as the state government plans to conduct a comprehensive flood mock drill on May 14 across 13 vulnerable districts, including major urban centres like Gurugram and Faridabad. The initiative is aimed at testing the state’s preparedness ahead of the monsoon season and improving coordination among various emergency response agencies.
According to officials from the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Haryana, the exercise will be carried out in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the annual preparedness programme. The main goal is to ensure that both administrative departments and frontline emergency teams are fully equipped to respond quickly and effectively to flood situations in real time.
The drill will cover 13 flood-prone districts: Gurugram, Faridabad, Ambala, Fatehabad, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, Panipat, Palwal, Sirsa, Sonipat, and Yamunanagar. These areas have been selected based on their geographical sensitivity, proximity to water bodies, drainage challenges, and history of flooding and waterlogging during heavy rains.
As per the plan, the exercise will be conducted in a three-stage format. The first phase will begin on May 6 with an orientation and coordination meeting, held virtually. During this stage, officials from the state and districts will define roles, communication channels, and operational responsibilities to ensure smooth execution of the drill.
The second phase is scheduled for May 12 and will involve a table-top simulation exercise. In this session, authorities will work through different flood scenarios in a controlled environment to evaluate response planning, coordination mechanisms, and identify any gaps in preparedness.
The final and most important phase will take place on May 14, when a full-scale field mock drill will be conducted across all 13 districts. During this live simulation, teams from the district administration, police, health departments, fire services, and disaster response units will take part in rescue and relief operations designed to closely replicate actual flood conditions. This phase will focus on assessing response time, inter-department coordination, and operational efficiency on the ground.
Officials have underlined that the drill will help strengthen key disaster management systems, including Disaster Management Plans (DMPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and the Incident Response System (IRS). The IRS framework is especially critical as it ensures a structured command system during emergencies, enabling coordinated and timely decision-making across departments.
A major objective of the exercise is also to identify shortcomings in manpower, equipment availability, communication networks, and logistical arrangements before the onset of the monsoon. Authorities believe that addressing these gaps in advance will significantly improve response effectiveness during real emergencies.
In addition to administrative preparedness, the government is also focusing on community awareness and public participation. Local bodies and supporting organisations will work to educate residents in vulnerable areas about evacuation procedures, emergency contacts, and safety measures during flood situations.
Disaster management experts point out that such drills are increasingly essential for rapidly urbanising states like Haryana, where unplanned growth, drainage pressure, and changing weather patterns have made flood risks more complex.
Overall, the upcoming Haryana flood mock drill on May 14 is being seen as an important step toward strengthening the state’s disaster response system, improving coordination, and ensuring better preparedness for monsoon-related emergencies.
