Guwahati, October 29: The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), in collaboration with the Department of School Education, Government of Assam and with support of knowledge partner UNICEF, Assam, successfully conducted the Great Assam School Shakeout Programme. It was a statewide earthquake and fire evacuation drill aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness across schools in Assam.
The Great Assam School Shakeout Programme was inaugurated on occasion of “International Shakeout Day” on Oct 16, 2025 by Keshab Mahanta, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, Government of Assam. The initiative marks one of the largest school safety outreach programmes in the State, engaging over 7 lakh students from 1,936 schools across 157 revenue circles in 35 districts.
The programme was designed to equip students, teachers, and staff with essential life-saving skills and
promote a culture of safety and resilience. It aimed to generate awareness and promote preparedness measures among school students, train School Disaster Management Committees, School Safety Task Teams, and Focal Point Teachers to ensure robust preparedness, and mitigate gaps in response actions and resources. The exercise further sought to enhance the ability of schools to respond efficiently during disasters and foster coordination among stakeholders and community volunteers for a disaster-prepared society.
The statewide drill represents a significant step towards building the culture of safety among school children in the State. Through this initiative, ASDMA reaffirmed its commitment to building a disaster-resilient Assam by engaging schools as key agents of change in promoting safety awareness and proactive disaster risk reduction. This special drive would also empower the school students to spread disaster awareness and safety practices within their homes, villages, and communities.
