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Source- This post on Exercise Aikya is based on the article “NDMA AND INDIAN ARMY SOUTHERN COMMAND HOST MULTI-STAKEHOLDER DISASTER MANAGEMENT EXERCISE” published in PIB on 23rd September 2024.
Why in News?
Recently, a two-day disaster management exercise, “EXERCISE AIKYA,” was conducted in Chennai.
About Exercise Aikya
| Aspects | Description |
| About | 1. Organized by: It was jointly organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Indian Army Southern Command, and the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA). 2. Location: The event took place at the Headquarters of the Dakshin Bharat Area. 3. Aim: It aims to improve disaster preparedness and response through collaboration between various stakeholders. |
| Participants | 1. It included representatives from six southern states and Union Territories: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Puducherry. 2. Various central ministries responsible for disaster management, State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), and armed forces, response agencies, early warning agencies and research institutions and academic bodies were part of the exercise. |
| Objectives | 1. The primary goal was to foster cooperation and coordination among disaster management agencies across Peninsular India, reflecting the meaning of ‘Aikya’ (Oneness in Tamil). 2. The exercise involved simulating emergency situations to test the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders. |
| Focus Areas | 1. The event facilitated discussions on recent disaster management trends, technologies, and lessons learned from previous operations. 2. Disaster scenarios including tsunamis, landslides, floods, cyclones, industrial incidents, and forest fires, with a focus on recent events in Tamil Nadu, Wayanad, and Andhra Pradesh, were addressed. 3. Key discussions included the use of AI and technology in disaster management, the economic impact of disasters, vulnerabilities specific to the region, and strategies to reduce response times. |
| Future Plans | 1. This exercise is a part of ongoing efforts to enhance disaster management capabilities in India. 2. NDMA and Indian Army Southern Command plan to expand similar exercises to other institutions to strengthen the national disaster preparedness framework. |
UPSC Syllabus: Defence exercise in news
