Mock Drill Simulates Bomb Blast at Malpe Harbour, Tests Emergency Preparedness
Udupi: A comprehensive mock drill was conducted at Malpe Fishing Harbour on Tuesday evening to rigorously assess the emergency response protocols in place at the vital port. The exercise, simulating a bomb blast within the harbour premises, was executed as a precautionary measure in response to prevailing heightened security concerns.
The coordinated drill involved collaborative participation from a multitude of agencies, including the Malpe Fishermen’s Association, Coastal Security Force, the Health Department, the Fisheries Department, the Fire Brigade, and Customs. The scenario entailed a simulated explosion, triggering a full-scale rescue operation to treat and evacuate mock “injured” personnel.
The Fire Brigade demonstrated rapid deployment, arriving promptly with sirens and effectively extinguishing a controlled fire. Simultaneously, armed personnel from the Coastal Security Force actively patrolled the harbor aboard a dedicated duty boat, emphasizing the agency’s critical role in handling critical incidents.
Coastal Security Force Superintendent of Police, Mithun, addressed the assembled fishermen, underlining the paramount importance of proactive preparedness for potential emergencies. The overarching objective of the drill was to meticulously evaluate the coordination and responsiveness capabilities of the participating agencies in the event of a genuine emergency.
Furthermore, fishermen were issued advisories urging heightened vigilance when operating in sensitive areas and recommending group fishing practices, utilizing convoys of three boats. This proactive recommendation seeks to bolster overall safety and security within the bustling harbour environment.
The exercise witnessed active participation from key law enforcement officials, including Police Inspectors Pramod, Seetharam, and PSI Violet Femina. The meticulously designed drill aimed to ensure that all stakeholders were adequately prepared to effectively and efficiently respond to unforeseen emergency scenarios at Malpe Harbour.
Malpe, one of Karnataka’s twelve major ports and a critical hub for fishing activities necessitated this comprehensive exercise to rigorously test the resilience and efficacy of its existing emergency response infrastructure.
