#MMShakeDrill images that looked real

MANILA, Philippines – It was just a drill, but for some, it looked real.

“I was shaking. It felt real. I was really crying,” said 57-year-old Milady Legaspi, and employee of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

On July 30, MMDA led the first-ever metrowide earthquake drill. Thousands participated and watched as the drill, dubbed #MMshakedrill on social media, was being conducted.

 

According to MMDA, the drill sought to foster a culture of preparedness among residents in Metro Manila in the event of a 7.2-magnitude earthquake caused by the movement of the West Valley Fault. (READ: All you need to know about preparing for earthquakes)

Many netizens, including online personalities, actively shared how they participated in the earthquake preparedness exercise. At least 14,646 Twitter users posted nearly 34,000 tweets, pushing #MMShakeDrill to the top of the trending topics list in the Philippines as the drill was being conducted from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. The drill’s official hashtag also became the 3rd trending topic worldwide.

On the ground, organizers of the drill created disaster scenarios across Metro Manila, complete with scenes of devastation and volunteers performing the roles of responders and victims. 

Since the drill was designed to simulate an unexpected earthquake, everyone was also assumed to have been “affected” by the disaster scenarios wherever they are – at home, at work, in school, or even on the road. 

The experience felt real to many who witnessed the simulation.

The drill was so realistic! #mmshakedrill

— Lawrence (@miracles_30) July 30, 2015

ang astig ng #MMSHAKEDRILL sa marikina ahhh makatotohanan talaga

— Quentin Q Jacobsen (@snkchssyrms) July 30, 2015

 

Rappler and its civic engagement arm MovePH, the official social media partners of MMDA for this event, helped crowdsource and spark conversations around the drill efforts. During the exercise, government and private sector earthquake activities were plotted on MovePH‘s Project Agos Alert Map, which has incorporated the MMDA’s hazard maps for Metro Manila.

Below are 15 of the realistic portrayals of the drill as captured by photographers who volunteered to cover the biggest earthquake preparedness exercise held in Metro Manila.

More realistic drills needed

Meanwhile, international experts said the drill was successful for a first attempt, but suggested that succeeding earthquake drills should be made more realistic with the use of technology.

Mark Bidder, head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) said disaster officials can use computer simulations to play out different scenarios and figure out how best to respond.

“Techniques to combat fires, the breakdown of communications, major casualties, and impact on health services – these can be played out in computer simulated environments,” he said.

Bidder added, “It would be good to look at that as one way to see how services can come together and respond more effectively.” – Rappler.com