Joint drill to ascertain monsoon-preparedness in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: As the monsoon season approaches and the risk of urban flooding looms large, a high-impact Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise was conducted in Bengaluru to bolster inter-agency preparedness and ensure swift, coordinated response to any emergent situation.

The exercise was led by the Gorkha Battalion of the Amphibious Brigade under the aegis of Bison Division, in close coordination with the 10th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), State Emergency Services and local civil authorities.

To replicate realistic emergency scenarios and test the synergy of the disaster response ecosystem, drills were conducted at two strategically important locations:

Jayanagar Fire Station hosted building evacuation drills, simulating high-density urban disaster situations with emphasis on structured evacuation, casualty handling and coordination across agencies.

Ulsoor Lake served as the venue for flood response operations, highlighting integrated rescue and relief efforts in water-based emergencies — particularly relevant in the context of anticipated monsoon-induced flooding.

The joint exercise demonstrated seamless coordination, shared learning, and operational readiness across military and civil response forces. It significantly enhanced interoperability, built mutual trust and reaffirmed the commitment of all stakeholders to the safety and resilience of the citizens of Bengaluru and adjoining regions.

With HADR columns of the Indian Army on alert across the region, this initiative stands as a timely and proactive step toward strengthening the nation’s collective disaster response mechanism.