Mock drills to be carried out nationwide today

Nationwide civil defence mock drills conducted to test preparedness for hostile attacks, including air raids and blackouts in various states.

Mock drills, as directed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, are being conducted across the country. The drill will test the efficacy of the operationalisation of air-raid warning signs, crash blackout measures, camouflaging vital installations, evacuation plans, establishing hotline with the Indian Air Force, activating control rooms, firefighting and warden services and undertake cleaning of bunkers and trenches among others. The drill comes in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack where 26 people were killed.

Here’s how the drills will unfold in various States:

Authorities in Delhi will carry out mock security drills at 55 locations, including Connaught Place, Khan Market, and Chandni Chowk, to check the preparedness of security agencies. “The drills will be conducted at 4 pm at 55 locations - five in each revenue district. We have held meetings with stakeholders over their conduct,” an official said.

The drills will simulate multiple hostile scenarios like air raids, multiple fire emergencies, and search and rescue operations, among others. Sirens will be sounded by police teams across the 15 police districts in the city as part of the exercise.

The Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) has directed all school heads to organise training sessions for students and teachers on disaster response and a demonstration video has been shared to help schools understand how to conduct a proper mock drills.

Kerala is set to conduct a Statewide civil defence mock drills in all 14 districts as per the direction of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). According to a statement issued by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), the mock drill will commence at 4 p.m., and the alert siren will sound 3 times for 30 seconds starting at 4 p.m. The mock drill will be conducted between 4.02 p.m. and 4.29 p.m. in areas where the siren is heard and even in areas where it is not heard.

As per the Centre’s directive, in places where there are no sirens, the announcement systems in places of worship may be considered to alert the public. The siren saying ‘Safe’ will sound for 30 seconds from 4.28 p.m. The sirens will be operated directly by the State Disaster Management Authority.