Africa-Press – Mauritius. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre (NDRRMC) took part in the Indian Ocean-wide tsunami exercises 20 (IOWave) exercise yesterday , based upon a scenario of a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in the Makran Trench off the coast of Pakistan.
The exercise was carried out at the Indian Ocean level with the participation from more than twenty counties. The Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government, Disaster and Risk Management, Dr. Mohammad Anwar Husnoo, was present on the occasion.
The National Emergency Operations Command was activated with representatives from concerned Ministries, departments and organisations, to coordinate and support responses and early recovery activities.
Seven local authorities located in the coastal regions, including, Rivière du Rempart, Flacq, Grand Port, Savanne, Black River, Port-Louis and Pamplemousses, will participate in the exercise through the activation of their respective Local Emergency operations Command.
The aim of the exercise was to test communication protocols at the National and local levels as well as to enhance tsunami preparedness at community level.
Partial real evacuation of inhabitants in particular regions was held. The Rodrigues Emergency Operations Command was activated and real evacuation of around 100 persons was undertaken.
As for Agalega, the evacuation of inhabitants from the South Island to North Island was carried out. In a statement, the VPM underlined that regular simulation exercises are important for maintaining readiness of all stakeholders for the real event.
Rapid and effective response is essential when a Tsunami will occur, he said. He further added that the IOWave is critical to identify any shortcomings in the action plan and also areas of improvement to enhance tsunami preparedness at community level.
Today’s exercise, stressed the VPM, simulated the coordination of actions of different stakeholders to evacuate working persons in crowded areas, such as Port-Louis, evacuation of school children in coastal areas, and rescue operations in low-lying coastal areas.
He pointed out that simulation of evacuation exercises were also held for hospital patients, including infectious patients, and those admitted in quarantine centres.
For More News And Analysis About Mauritius Follow Africa-Press
