The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) organized an ‘Emergency Communication Mock Exercise-Sanchar Shakti’ at State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), HP-Secretariat, Shimla, today. The mock exercise was organised in collaboration with Army Training Command (ARTRAC), Himachal Pradesh Police Department, Project Deepak of Border Roads Organization (BRO), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Bhartiya Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).The event was conducted under the supervision of D.C Rana Director-cum Special Secretary, Revenue-Disaster Management.Principal Secretary, Revenue, Onkar Chand Sharma appreciated the initiative of the Army and efforts of all participating organizations. He also hoped that such exercises will be useful for handling real life situations in future as well.Lt. Col. Gaurav Negi from 102 Infantry Battalion (TA) Punjab, ARTRAC briefed the representatives from the above mentioned Departments about the terrain, topography and hazard profile of the State. In case of disasters and emergencies, information plays a critical role and strengthening mechanisms to ensure efficacy of data collection and dissemination was vital.He also gave a concise description of scenarios painted to test the efficacy of communication and response plans at the State and district levels. The description of seven scenarios was presented covering contingency situations for village Sural Batoli in Pangi Valley and Sach Pass in Chamba; Darcha, Losar, Gramphu and Kimya, in Lahaul and Spiti and Parchu in Kinnaur.During the mock exercise communication systems to generate data about the situational needs were also tested of the Police Department, Project Deepak and Army.Deputy Commissioner, Lahaul and Spiti Kamal Saroch, and Col. Rohit Negi, Commanding Officer 102 Infantry Battalion (TA) Punjab, ARTRAC were also present on this occasion, amongst other officials from the Department of Telecommunications, Army, Project Deepak and SDMA.