CHENNAI: The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Kalpakkam Centre successfully conducted a major unannounced emergency drill on Wednesday, testing the preparedness of its multi-facility nuclear site.

The annual Site Emergency Exercise involved over 6,000 personnel from key installations, including the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, and the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor.

Overseen by the Kalpakkam Emergency Committee led by M Seshaiah, MAPS’s station director, the drill aimed to validate response protocols for a hypothetical scenario, despite the extreme unlikelihood of such an event due to rigorous ‘defence in depth’ safety designs.

The exercise demonstrated critical response actions such as swift on-site sheltering, mock injury treatment, administrative drills for issuing protective iodine tablets, and a full evacuation of non-essential staff completed within two hours.

Procedures for decontaminating individuals and vehicles were also practised.

Concluded within 3.5 hours, the drill was observed by senior DAE officials and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board representatives. “The exercise had significantly enhanced confidence in the collective capability to manage any unlikely event,” Seshaiah stated.