As per the Ministry of Home Affairs’ directives issued a day before, mock drills have been conducted across various states. States include Mumbai, Punjab, and Delhi, which will witness blackouts for 10 to 15 minutes. The mock drill to assess the preparedness of the defence forces includes ‘mock’ casualties, plans of evacuation, siren alerts, and blackouts were part of the drill.
The timing for the mock drills was between 8 pm to 9 pm for about 10 to 15 minutes. However, in Punjab’s Ferozepur, it will start from 9 pm. The mock drills are been conducted at this crucial time, in the backdrop of the Pahalgam attack and the strike by the Indian army under “OPERATION SINDOOR”, on 7th May.
Terrorists who were involved in the Pahalgam attack were said to have links with Pakistan, and ever since the attacks, tensions between India and Pakistan have worsened since then. The mock drill is done to prepare the forces for an unforeseen situation. The ministry also noted that in the changing geopolitical scenarios, it is important to have a strong civil defence system in the country.
It must be noted that schools, colleges, offices and other institutions will be opened during the drill, and it will be made to avoid any intervention in the daily life of the residents. Blackouts can be seen in some places, but they will last only a few minutes. It is done to mimic an enemy attack and safeguard the public from sudden raids.
Other than the sirens and blackout drill, Hotline links with the Indian Air Force will also be activated during the drill, along with activation of control rooms, training civilians to protect themselves, measures for crash blackouts, activation of civil defence services, and rehearsal of the evacuation plan. It will involve all stakeholders like the National Cadet Corps, civil defence volunteers, Home Guards, police, and students.
The drill will ensure that the stakeholders are fully prepared to coordinate with each other and mobilise help in a situation of emergency.
