By Emeka Blast 
Massive Mock Drill Planned in Delhi-NCR on August 1 to Test Earthquake, Chemical Emergency Response
The Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) is set to conduct a large-scale mock drill today, August 1, 2025, to test its preparedness for earthquake and chemical disaster scenarios, announced the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The exercise, the largest of its kind in the region since the 2012 mega drill, aims to evaluate the response capabilities of multiple agencies across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad, following the devastating 8.8-magnitude Kamchatka earthquake that triggered Pacific-wide tsunami alerts on July 30. The drill, involving over 5,000 personnel, will simulate a 7.2-magnitude earthquake and a chemical leak in an industrial hub, testing coordination, evacuation, and rescue operations.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, who inspected preparations at the NDMA’s Emergency Operations Centre on July 31, emphasized the region’s vulnerability, noting that Delhi lies in Seismic Zone IV, a high-risk earthquake zone, with NCR’s dense population of 31 million amplifying potential impacts. “Disaster preparedness is non-negotiable. This drill will expose gaps and strengthen our response,” Saxena said, referencing the 2001 Gujarat earthquake that killed over 13,000. The chemical disaster scenario, added in response to recent industrial accidents like the 2024 Ghaziabad factory fire, will simulate a chlorine gas leak in Noida’s Sector 63 industrial area, testing hazmat protocols and public safety measures.
The exercise, starting at 10:00 a.m. IST, will involve the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indian Army, Delhi Police, Fire Services, Civil Defence, hospitals, and metro authorities. Key locations include Connaught Place, Gurugram’s Cyber City, Ghaziabad’s Hindon Airbase, and schools like Delhi Public School in RK Puram, where 10,000 students will practice “drop, cover, and hold.” Over 200 “disaster scenarios” will unfold, including collapsed buildings, trapped victims, and disrupted power and communication lines. The Delhi Metro, carrying 6 million daily passengers, will simulate evacuations at Rajiv Chowk and Kashmere Gate stations.
Public awareness campaigns have been active, with DDMA’s X handle @DelhiDDMA posting, “Join the August 1 mega drill! Know your evacuation routes. #DelhiSafe.” Schools have distributed NDMA’s “Do’s and Don’ts” for earthquakes, advising against elevator use and emphasizing safe exits. However, some residents expressed concerns, with @NCRVoice tweeting, “A drill is good, but what about old buildings in Delhi? They won’t survive a real quake.” Others, like @SafeDelhi, praised the initiative, noting, “Kamchatka’s quake shows we can’t wait. Kudos to DDMA!”
The drill follows India’s heightened focus on disaster preparedness, with the NDMA conducting 12 state-level exercises in 2025. Delhi’s last major drill in 2012 exposed coordination gaps, leading to improvements like the 2024 launch of the Delhi Earthquake Early Warning System, which detects tremors in real time. The chemical scenario addresses NCR’s 5,000+ industrial units, with a 2024 Noida chemical spill prompting stricter regulations. Post-drill, the NDMA will release a report by August 15 to guide policy and infrastructure upgrades.
