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Multi-Agency humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise Pralay Sahayam was recently held in Hyderabad to create public awareness about man-made and natural climate change and urban disasters including flooding.The two-day exercise was jointly organisedby Telangana state government in association with all central and state agencies National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and Armed Forces.Key FactsThe multi-agency exercise was based on urban flooding scenario in twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. It aimed at synergising efforts of all agencies involvedand build confidence in populace about capabilities of disaster management agencies to render support in case of suchdisasters.Under it, joint operations for tackling urbanflooding scenario was carried out by State Government agencies, Police, State Fire & Emergency Services, NDRF, CISF and Armed Forces. The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Army Aviation had employed Mi-17 helicopters, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Chetak Helicopter for aerial evacuation, demonstrating special skills inhovering and winching.Special Forces such as Army Commandos and Marine Commandos from Indian Navy also carried out highly synchronized Search and Rescue operation in flooded colonies. Dog Squad of NDRF and Telangana State police also carried out search operations for trapped personnel.The exercise brought out role and functionof State Emergency Operations in coordinating conduct of joint operations. Under it, relief activities such as evacuation of rescued people, provisioning of medical care and distribution of essential supplies were alsocarried out by multiple agencies in coordinated and efficient manner.The exercise also emphasized significance of early warning systems of agencies like Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).