DDMA conducts tsunami mock drill at Veliyankode coast

The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) conducted a tsunami mock drill at Veliyankode near Ponnani on Wednesday (September 16, 2026). The drill was held in Ward 18 of Veliyankode grama panchayat.

The drill tested preparedness and coordination to handle disasters like tsunami. It practised moving people to safe areas, rescue, emergency treatment, and post-disaster steps after a tsunami warning.

The drill started at 9:45 a.m. with staff and vehicles assembling near a petrol pump. At 10 a.m., an alert was received about an 8.8 magnitude earthquake in North Sumatra, Indonesia.

A man trapped on the terrace being rescued during the mock drill.
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SAKEER HUSSAIN

Following this, the authority issued an alert for coastal districts. Announcements were made to warn the public. A message said tsunami waves would reach Veliyankode by 10:30 a.m.

The police, Fire and Rescue Services, Coastal Police, and the Civil Defence shifted families from the coast to safety. The Motor Vehicles department (MVD) cleared roads for rescue operations.

Bedridden patients trapped at home, people stranded at sea, and those stuck on rooftops and trees were shifted to a relief camp set up at Mirathul Ambiya Madrassa. Medical aid was given to those in need.

Rescue personnel shifting a bedridden patient from a house during the mock drill.
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SAKEER HUSSAIN

At 12 mid-day, the alert was withdrawn and the mock drill ended.

Rescue operations were coordinated through an incident command system set up at Ponnani taluk emergency operations centre. Officials from DDMA, police, fire and rescue services, health, fisheries, Coast Guard, MVD, local bodies, Information and Public Relations, and Education departments, along with elected representatives, Civil Defence, Aapda Mitra, ASHA and Kudumbashree workers, and the public took part.

After the drill, a review meeting was held. Ponnani Tahsildar Pramod P. Lazarus, deputy Tahsildar K.K. Gopalakrishnan, Veliyankode panchayat president Babitha Noufal and officials from various departments attended.

Ahead of the drill, a table-top exercise and awareness classes were held for the public and officials.

A student trapped on the first floor of a building being rescued during the mock drill.
| Photo Credit:
SAKEER HUSSAIN

Veliyankode was selected as it is the part in Malappuram district facing severest form of coastal erosion, officials said.

The drill was held as part of the Tsunami Ready programme of the International Oceanographic Commission under UNESCO. “The aim was to strengthen community preparedness for coastal disasters and create awareness among the public,” said district information officer Rasheed Babu.