DEPROSC-Nepal successfully conducted a two-day Simulation Exercise and Community Drill on May 3 and 4, 2026, in Bagmati Municipality of Sarlahi district.

The exercise was locally hosted by RDC and RRPK with technical support from DEPROSC-Nepal with financial support by Plan International Nepal and its other implementing partners -JCAN, Samagra and DJKYC.

The simulation exercise focused on testing the Emergency Response Team (ERT) and the contingency planning capacities of RDC under forecast uncertainty and mounting pressure during a flood emergency scenario. The exercise validated anticipatory decision-making processes, operational readiness of logistics and communication systems, early warning dissemination mechanisms, and coordination among humanitarian actors and government authorities.

The objectives of the simulation included testing functional roles related to operations, logistics, sponsorship, coordination, and communication for pre-positioning and anticipatory measures before disaster impact. Representatives from partner organizations actively participated in role-play exercises simulating emergency coordination, information flow, decision-making, and resource mobilization in response to different scenario injects introduced by the simulation team.

On May 4, a community drill was conducted near Bharat Taal along the Bagmati River in Bagmati Municipality with participation from local government representatives, security agencies (Nepal Army, Nepali Police), Red Cross, community people, local media, volunteers and implementing partners of Plan.

The drill simulated multi hazard emergency situations including early warning dissemination, evacuation, search and rescue, first aid response, rapid assessment, and relief distribution. The exercise also tested activation of the Local Emergency Operation Center (LEOC), communication systems, and coordination among local government, communities, and humanitarian actors in line with national disaster response mechanisms.

Speaking during the event, the Acting Chief of the municipality highlighted the importance of practical simulation exercises in strengthening preparedness, improving coordination among stakeholders, and enhancing community resilience against increasing flood risks in the Bagmati River basin. He also expressed appreciation to DEPROSC-Nepal for taking the initiative in organizing the event.