Haryana to conduct massive flood mock drill across 13 districts
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, May 12, 2026:In a major step towards strengthening disaster preparedness, the Haryana Government will conduct a large-scale state-level flood mock drill simultaneously across 13 flood-prone districts on May 14 in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The exercise is being described as one of the most extensive disaster preparedness initiatives ever undertaken in the state and comes in the backdrop of flood emergencies witnessed in 2023 and 2025.
Addressing a Table Top Exercise and orientation session ahead of the drill, Financial Commissioner Revenue and Disaster Management Department Dr. Sumita Misra said the state has drawn important lessons from previous flood situations and is now focusing on proactive preparedness instead of reactive response.
“This is not merely a routine simulation but a practical preparedness initiative aimed at strengthening Haryana’s ability to respond effectively to future flood emergencies,” she said.
The flood mock drill will be conducted simultaneously in Gurugram, Ambala, Faridabad, Fatehabad, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, Panipat, Palwal, Sirsa, Sonipat and Yamunanagar districts. Authorities said the exercise will take place at two separate locations in each district to test operational readiness and emergency response mechanisms under realistic conditions.
The large-scale exercise will involve coordinated participation from multiple agencies, including district administrations, police, health departments, Fire and Emergency Services, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local emergency teams.
Officials believe the initiative will significantly improve coordination among departments and strengthen emergency response capabilities during actual flood situations.
A major focus of the exercise will be community participation and public awareness. Volunteers from Aapda Mitra, the Indian Red Cross Society, NCC, NSS, Bharat Scouts and Guides, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and several NGOs will actively participate in the mock drill.
Dr. Sumita Misra directed district administrations to ensure adequate publicity so that residents understand the exercise is a planned simulation and not a real emergency. She also instructed officials to maintain complete safety for civilians and students during the drill.
The exercise will also receive guidance from national disaster management experts. Brigadier Ravinder Gurung (Retd.), Senior Consultant with NDMA, will supervise the operation from the State Headquarters. Officials from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority will also participate, highlighting growing inter-state cooperation in disaster management practices.
District administrations have additionally been directed to verify the operational readiness of emergency resources listed on the India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN) portal to ensure equipment and response systems are fully functional during emergencies.
The Haryana Government said observations and lessons from the May 14 exercise will be documented and incorporated into future disaster preparedness strategies to build a more resilient and disaster-ready state.