Uttarakhand conducts mock drill for landslide and flood response in Mussoorie

On June 2, the sub‑divisional magistrate (SDM) Rahul Anand led a mock disaster drill in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, to evaluate the region’s readiness for heavy rain and landslides during the monsoon season. The exercise simulated a landslide that trapped a bus with 15 passengers and caused a small vehicle to fall into a ditch, injuring four occupants.

All relevant department officials were dispatched within half an hour of the simulated alarm. The rescue operation lasted another half hour, successfully extracting the stranded passengers, though several individuals sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospitals. The drill also involved a review meeting with the district magistrate, activation of the control room and verification that emergency equipment was in place.

The exercise was described as a “successful” test of inter‑agency coordination and preparedness for potential real‑world natural disasters in the mountainous region.