Bhopal, As part of a nationwide initiative directed by the Union Home Ministry, Bhopal was one of five cities in Madhya Pradesh – along with Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, and Katni – to conduct a comprehensive mock drill on Wednesday. The exercise aimed to simulate emergency responses to potential disasters.
In the capital, the drill unfolded at approximately 4 PM, featuring a simulated fire evacuation at DB Mall and the subsequent transfer of “injured” individuals to a temporary hospital established at Nutan College. Simultaneously, another scenario played out in New Market, focusing on safe evacuation procedures during a simulated attack.
Ambulances carrying mock casualties from DB Mall swiftly transported them to the makeshift medical facility at Nutan College, where treatment protocols were immediately initiated. One “critically injured” patient was moved to a designated red zone for intensive care.
However, the otherwise well-coordinated drill encountered a minor hiccup at the temporary hospital. Staff members arrived with an oxygen cylinder but inadvertently forgot the accompanying mask kit. Consequently, the “patient” had to be moved to another bed for treatment. Demonstrating quick thinking, the team promptly arranged for a mask kit to be brought from JP Hospital to rectify the oversight.
The health department had deployed a substantial team of 110 personnel at the temporary hospital, including specialized doctors, medical officers, supporting staff, nursing staff, paramedics, and pharmacists. A fleet of ten ambulances was strategically positioned across the city for the exercise, with five at DB Mall, three at Kokta Bypass, and two in Eit Khedi.
Earlier in the day, the police lines in Nehru Nagar served as the initial site for the mock drill, focusing on providing immediate first aid and ensuring the safe transport of casualties during an attack or disaster. Participants also received training in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) procedures. A simulated house fire scenario further tested the responsiveness of fire fighters, who successfully extinguished the blaze and rescued “victims.”
“The primary objective of this exercise is to raise public awareness and enhance preparedness for handling challenging situations. Furthermore, it aims to foster better coordination and synergy among all the response teams, ensuring timely assistance to those in need.”
Harinarayan Chari Mishra, Commissioner, Bhopal
