Tsunami mock drill conducted at JIPMER to test disaster preparedness

puducherry: the jawaharlal institute of postgraduate medical education and research (jipmer) here on thursday conducted a tsunami mock drill to assess institutional readiness, inter-agency coordination and emergency response protocols.the exercise, held between 8 am and 11 am, was part of the disaster preparedness initiative of the government of puducherry and followed recommendations of the national disaster management authority (ndma), officials said.coordinated by the department of emergency medicine, the drill involved the hospital office, nursing section, fire and security services and other ancillary wings. the scenario simulated a tsunami alert, with the mass evacuation of injured victims to safe ground. around 80 nursing students participated as volunteer simulated patients.teams carried out start triaging, stabilised critical cases, referred red and yellow zone patients to higher centres, and discharged green zone patients. the exercise also tested ambulance response, mobilisation of medical facilities, triage implementation and evacuation procedures.dr. vinod kumar, officiating medical superintendent and observer of the drill, lauded the coordinated efforts and stressed the importance of systematic preparedness. jipmer director dr. vir singh negi underlined the need for regular mock drills, saying they reinforce the institution's commitment to “safeguarding lives and building a resilient community.”the exercise concluded with a debriefing and feedback session to identify strengths and gaps in the response system.