Shillong, April 24: Meghalaya on Friday conducted a statewide civil defence mock drill titled ARMEX-I 2026, simulating air raid situations and blackout conditions to assess the state’s preparedness for large-scale emergencies.
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| Emergency responders simulate rescue and medical evacuation during the statewide civil defence mock drill ARMEX-I 2026 conducted in Meghalaya to test emergency preparedness. |
Shillong served as the main centre of the exercise, with coordinated emergency operations carried out at key locations including Hotel Poinisuk, St. Anthony’s Higher Secondary School, and St. Edmund’s College. The drill involved evacuation procedures, firefighting operations, search and rescue missions, and medical response simulations.
The exercise was organised under the direction of the Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards under the Ministry of Home Affairs, with participation from multiple agencies such as the police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire and Emergency Services, Home Guards, Civil Defence volunteers, and departments of Health and Power.
During the first stage of the drill between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM, sirens signalled a simulated aerial threat, prompting emergency response teams to act immediately. At St. Anthony’s Higher Secondary School, evacuation was carried out with support from NCC and Bharat Scouts & Guides volunteers. A few participants reportedly sustained minor injuries, while two individuals with serious injuries were shifted to Civil Hospital.
At St. Edmund’s College, NCC, NSS, and Nehru Yuva Kendra volunteers conducted evacuation procedures smoothly without any injuries reported.
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A more intense scenario was simulated at Hotel Poinisuk, where a mock drone strike triggered a fire and structural damage. Fire and Emergency Services personnel quickly brought the fire under control, while SDRF teams rescued individuals trapped inside the building. The first phase concluded with an “All Clear” siren, followed by a debriefing session.
Meanwhile, a similar Air Raid Mock Exercise (ARMEX-I) was conducted at Ri Bhoi College in Nongpoh, organised by the Ri Bhoi District Administration in collaboration with Civil Defence and other government departments. The exercise aimed to test coordination among agencies and raise public awareness about safety procedures during emergency situations.
Officials stated that such drills are essential to strengthen emergency preparedness, improve coordination among departments, and enhance the overall disaster management framework in the state.
