Veliyamkode’s tsunami emergency readiness put to test-OxBig News Network

Fire and Rescue Services personnel rescuing a man during a tsunami mock drill held at Veliyamkode on January 8.
| Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) conducted a tsunami mock drill in the coastal panchayat of Veliyamkode on Wednesday (January 8). The mock drill, held at the best of the United Nations, surprised the people at Pathumuri beach.

Apart from the State Disaster Response Force, police, fire and rescue service, health, fisheries, Coast Guard, revenue and civic body officials took part in the mock drill.

Following a warning in the morning by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services that an earthquake of 9.3 magnitude in richter scale had struck the northern Sumatra, the entire coast was put on alert. It was soon followed by warning alarms and mic announcements for the people.

They were warned that tsunami waves would hit Ponnani coast by 10.45 a.m. As many as 75 fishermen families living along the coast were shifted to safer places. Police, Fire and Rescue Services personnel, Coast Guard and Civil Defence officers led the evacuation. Motor Vehicle Department personnel cleared the roads.

Bedridden patients and pregnant women were shifted to Althamam Auditorium, which was converted to a relief camp. As many as 30 people were offered medical help. Fishermen stuck at sea were rescued and brought to Veliyamkode Islamic Centre, which the Fire and Rescue Services personnel converted into their base camp.

A thorough search was held at Chinnan Colony following a report that some people were trapped there. At 11.15, the KSMDA announced that the mock drill was over following the withdrawal of the warning.

Disaster management deputy collector S.S. Sarin, Ponnani tahsildar Pramod P. Lasar, deputy tahsildar A.K. Praveen, fire officers from Tanur, Tirur and Ponnani stations, and officials of several other departments took part. Sub Collector Dilip K. Kainikkara supervised the episode.

The mock drill was also held in eight other coastal panchayats in the State. Veliyamkode was chosen considering the heavy soil erosion in the region.