The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) is set to conclude a five-day Multi-Departmental Orientation Programme on Inter-Agency Coordination and Integrated Disaster Response Mechanism at its Vijayawada campus on August 28, 2026.

The programme has focused on strengthening coordination among different departments and agencies involved in disaster management and response. The training is aimed at improving preparedness and developing a more integrated approach to managing emergencies and disasters.

Focus on Inter-Agency Coordination

The orientation programme brings together officials and personnel from different departments to familiarise them with the mechanisms required for coordinated disaster response. Effective coordination between agencies is considered essential during emergencies, when multiple departments may need to work together under time-sensitive conditions.

The programme's focus on an integrated disaster response mechanism is intended to improve understanding of the roles and responsibilities of participating agencies and promote coordinated action during disasters.

Five-Day Training Programme

The five-day programme is being conducted at the NIDM Vijayawada campus, with the concluding session scheduled for August 28. The orientation forms part of capacity-building efforts in the field of disaster management and emergency response.

Such training programmes provide participants with an opportunity to understand disaster response systems, coordination mechanisms and institutional arrangements that can support effective action during emergencies.

Strengthening Disaster Preparedness

Disaster management requires coordinated action involving government departments, response agencies and other stakeholders. Training and orientation programmes such as this are intended to strengthen institutional preparedness and improve the ability of agencies to respond collectively when disasters occur.

The Vijayawada programme, centred on inter-agency coordination and integrated response, is therefore focused on building greater preparedness and cooperation among participating departments.

7.8-magnitude Philippines earthquake injures 134, triggers evacuations and aftershocks; tsunami wave up to 1.4m recorded

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Mindanao early Monday, killing at least 32 people, injuring 134 and collapsing several commercial buildings, officials and local reports said. The temblor — one of the strongest to hit the Philippines in recent years — also produced tsunami waves measured at up to 1.4 metres (about 4.6 feet) and prompted mass evacuations along coastal areas.

Quake and immediate impact
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake occurred at 5:07 am Indian Standard Time with an epicentre located roughly 35 km beneath the surface near Mindanao. Initial reports and local officials said shops, offices and other commercial structures sustained heavy damage in cities and towns near the epicentre, and some buildings collapsed.

Philippine authorities put the confirmed death toll at 32 but cautioned the figure remained provisional pending verification by the national disaster agency. “Fatalities are still being validated,” a spokesperson said. Local civil defence offices reported at least seven people missing and 134 injured as rescue teams moved into the hardest-hit areas.

Tsunami alerts and waves
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) recorded tsunami activity in six Mindanao locations, with the highest sea surge reaching 1.4 metres. PHIVOLCS later lifted tsunami alerts for southern provinces after an extended observation period found the disturbances too small to cause further damage, the agency said in an advisory.

Neighbours briefly issued warnings. Indonesia and Malaysia raised tsunami advisories for some coastal sectors, and agencies including Japan’s meteorological service and the US tsunami warning system issued alerts for parts of the wider region. Most regional warnings were withdrawn within hours as wave heights diminished and risks receded.

Aftershocks and ongoing danger
By 11 am local time PHIVOLCS had logged 138 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 1.3 to 6.7. Officials warned that strong aftershocks can continue for days and may further damage already weakened structures, complicating rescue operations. “Aftershocks remain a serious concern,” a disaster-response official said, urging people to avoid unstable buildings.

Ground reports and local response
Scenes from General Santos City and neighbouring provinces showed people rushing into the streets at dawn, with power outages reported in parts of the city. Regional authorities published photographs showing cracked walls, damaged shopfronts and a partially collapsed police station in Alabel town, Sarangani province.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered immediate evacuations in coastal zones and suspended classes across parts of Mindanao. He directed government agencies to begin relief and search-and-rescue operations, the presidential office said. Tens of thousands of residents were reported moving to higher ground in the hours after the quake.

Why the Philippines is vulnerable
The Philippines sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of intense seismic and volcanic activity that stretches across the Pacific Basin. Tectonic plate movements make the country prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and it also faces about 20 typhoons annually. The recent disaster follows a deadly October 2025 quake in Cebu that killed dozens and injured many more.

Humanitarian and infrastructure concerns
Rescue teams are prioritising trapped and injured people while assessing damage to roads, communications and power lines that hamper response efforts. Local hospitals reported a surge of patients; medical teams are triaging injuries and preparing for possible increases should aftershocks trigger new collapses.

What comes next
Authorities said search-and-rescue operations would continue through the day and formal casualty verification would be completed as teams reach isolated areas. Phivolcs and disaster-response agencies urged residents to stay clear of damaged structures and to heed evacuation orders. International monitoring agencies will continue to track aftershocks and any further sea-level changes.

Related coverage will follow as officials release verified casualty lists and more details on the scale of infrastructure damage and relief measures.

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake rocked the southern Philippines early Monday morning, causing at least one death and collapsing several buildings in General Santos City as residents rushed into the streets in panic. Tsunami warnings were swiftly issued for coastal areas across the Philippines, with alerts extending to parts of Indonesia and Malaysia.

The quake struck at around 7:37 a.m. local time (5:07 a.m. IST), with its epicentre located about 13-26 kilometres southwest of General Santos City on Mindanao Island. Initial assessments point to significant damage in the bustling tuna-processing hub, home to over 700,000 people.

Strong Tremors Shake Southern Philippines

Residents described the shaking as one of the strongest they had ever felt. Videos circulating on social media showed dust and debris rising from damaged structures, including a partially collapsed Jollibee restaurant and other buildings in the city centre. Power outages plunged several neighbourhoods into darkness, adding to the chaos as people fled homes and offices.

Master Sergeant Robert Dagan of the General Santos City Police reported that multiple buildings were affected. Rescue teams are working to assess trapped individuals amid ongoing operations. In nearby Alabel town in Sarangani province, police chief Benjie Ancheta noted cracks in the station building and said some people fainted from fear during the intense tremors.

Tsunami Warnings Trigger Evacuations

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and local authorities quickly raised alarms. Waves up to three metres were possible in parts of the Philippines, while up to one-metre waves were forecast for certain coastal zones in Indonesia and Malaysia. People in low-lying areas were urged to move to higher ground immediately.

Tremors were also felt in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi and North Maluku regions. Indonesia’s BMKG issued its own warnings, and Japan’s Meteorological Agency released a tsunami advisory for its southern coasts. US agencies confirmed no threat to Hawaii or the Pacific coasts of the United States and Canada.

President Marcos Orders Immediate Response

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed all concerned agencies to prioritise rescue and relief efforts. He emphasised moving residents to safer locations and ensuring swift government support, stating that Mindanao would not be left behind.

Local officials released images showing extensive damage to shops and infrastructure. As of the latest updates, at least one fatality has been confirmed, with reports of injuries emerging from the affected zones.

Aftershocks Raise Fears of Further Damage

Several aftershocks, including magnitudes around 6.1, have rattled the region since the main event. Seismologists warn that such tremors can persist for days or weeks, sometimes matching or exceeding the original quake’s strength and worsening damage to already compromised structures.

Ring of Fire Location Heightens Risks

The Philippines sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a highly active seismic zone prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity due to tectonic plate movements. The country faces dozens of quakes annually and is no stranger to disasters, compounded by its vulnerability to typhoons.

In October 2025, a 6.9-magnitude quake in Cebu Province claimed 69 lives, serving as a grim reminder of the region’s exposure. Monday’s event ranks among the strongest to hit the Philippines in recent decades.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. Rescue operations remain underway in General Santos and surrounding areas, while residents are advised to stay vigilant for aftershocks and adhere to official safety guidelines. The full extent of casualties and destruction is still being assessed as teams reach harder-hit zones.

NSG Commandos Neutralise Drone Threat in Bhopal Demo

Elite force showcases anti-drone tech and VIP security drill in a major capacity-building exercise at Jahangirabad parade ground.

National Security Guard (NSG) commandos on Monday neutralised a simulated drone attack aimed at a VIP, demonstrating the country’s readiness against emerging aerial threats. The display was part of a comprehensive capacity-building training exercise held at the Parade Ground in Jahangirabad.

High-Octane Display

The black cat commandos carried out a series of complex manoeuvres before senior officials and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. The event highlighted the force’s ability to adapt to modern urban warfare challenges. Officials said the drill focused on real-time threat responses.

Drone Threat Neutralised

In a key segment, commandos detected an hostile drone approaching a VIP location. They promptly neutralised the unmanned aircraft using advanced counter-measures. This drill comes amid growing concerns over drone-based attacks on strategic installations, a senior officer stated.

VIP Security Drills

The team then secured a VIP under adverse conditions, simulating a high-risk environment. The drill included a swift evacuation protocol and close protection tactics. Sources indicated the scenario replicated a coordinated terror strike attempt during a public movement.

Rescue And Combat Ops

Commandos also performed a dramatic building intervention drill. Troops rappelled from an Mi-17 helicopter onto a structure, engaging mock terrorists in close quarters. The exercise concluded with a hand-to-hand combat sequence, forcing the hostiles to surrender.

K-9 And Anti-Drone Tech

The K-9 squad marked its presence by detecting IEDs with precision. Personnel displayed underwater diving capabilities and bomb disposal techniques. A dedicated anti-drone technology demonstration remained the focal point, reflecting the NSG’s evolving operational priorities.

Senior Officials Present

Director General of Police Kailash Makwana and the NSG Director General attended the event. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav witnessed the entire drill, observing the force’s swift tactical responses. Officials confirmed that the training curriculum has been updated to include emerging threats.

Future Training Roadmap

The NSG plans to integrate these new tactics into regular drills for all regional hubs. As per reports, more such demonstrations will be held across the country to enhance public awareness. The force remains on standby for deployment in major cities for counter-terror and hostage rescue operations.