Disaster management drills carried out in twin districts
The Hindu
It will help face disasters onsite and offsite, says MRPL where personnel attended to a gas leak
A State-level disaster management mock drill with the theme of chemical leakage on industrial premises conducted at Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. on Friday was a success, said Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority Commissioner (KSDMA) Manoj Rajan.
District Disaster Management Authorities of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi conducted mock drills in their respective jurisdiction as a part of State-wide exercise.
Speaking to reporters after the mock drill at MRPL, Mr. Rajan said that mock drills were organised in 31 districts across the State covering over 17,500 factories and industries.
With more industries coming up in the wake of the Aatmanirbhar scheme, mock drills were organised to ensure that all the concerned, from industry operators to emergency services personnel, from workers in industries to people residing in surrounding areas, take necessary rescue and remedial measures.
A gas leak occurred at MRPL at 9 a.m. that was reported to senior officials and later to the District Disaster Management Authority. While emergency services personnel within MRPL geared up for rescue measures, personnel from other government agencies, including Fire and Emergency Services and police, reached the spot immediately and took rescue measures assigned to them thereby thwarting a major mishap.
While the injured were shifted to hospital where they got treatment according to the severity of injuries, residents of surrounding areas were shifted to rehabilitation centres.
MRPL Managing Director M. Venkatesh said that though MRPL is safe, the drill was aimed at taking steps to prevent any disaster in the coming days. The company is equipped with all necessary equipment, he said and added that Friday’s drill will help face disasters on-site and off-site. Over 200 personnel from different agencies participated in the drill.