Indian authorities are gearing up to conduct nationwide mock drills on Wednesday amid escalating tensions with Pakistan. The rehearsals will be held at nearly 300 locations across the country — marking the first major civil defence mobilisation since 1971. The exercise aims to assess preparedness for a potential war situation and will encompass a wide range of activities designed to simulate real-life emergency scenarios. Officials have repeatedly stressed that this is merely a precautionary measure rather than being an indicator of imminent conflict.
According to a communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the measures to be taken during the mock drills include operationalising air-raid warning sirens, training civilians on civil defence procedures to protect themselves during a “hostile attack” and clearing bunkers and trenches. Other steps include implementing crash-blackout measures, camouflaging vital plants and installations, and updating and rehearsing evacuation plans.
What is a defence drill and what does the what circular say?
A civilian defence mock drill is held to test and improve preparedness for various crises including earthquakes, floods, chemical leaks, terror attacks, nuclear emergencies or war. The last pan-India mock drill had been held in 1971 amid preparation for the liberation of Bangladesh (then East Pakistan). Reports suggest that the Indian Army had conducted several activities such as moving cilivians to bunkers, responding to air raid sirens and practicing city-wide blackouts.
The Home Ministry had asked states to conduct drills on May 7 in light of “new and complex threats”. An official communique also outlined several measures for “effective civil defence” and listed 244 categorised civil defence districts where drills would be carried out.
Civic defence drill – What to expect
Civilians living in designated 244 civic defence districts are likely to hear air raid sirens go off on Wednesday as the drills commence. They may also be asked to switch off their lights or temporarily evacuate their homes. Precedence indicates that traffic may also be halted briefly during this time. It is imperative to listen to local officials and follow instructions during this period. Keep essentials handy and participate in awareness sessions if required. The drills are not cause for panic and one should avoid WhatsApp forwards and other sources of misinformation about the situation.
Will schools, colleges, and banks remain open? Will internet services stop?
Schools, colleges, banks, government offices and other institutions will not be affected by the mock drills. The rehearsals are being designed for incorporation into daily routines without any major disruption. Mobile and internet services will also continue uninterrupted during this time as per the latest updates from the government. Any localised disruption will be announced ahead of time.
Is there any cause for concern?
This is a route, pre-announced exercise and not an emergency. Citizens are advised to cooperate with the authorities and follow instructions as necessary.
Some parts of India have already held similar drills over the past two weeks — briefly switching off electricity, pausing traffic and making efforts to improve civilian awareness.
Based on precedence, here’s what one can expect on Wednesday:
Blackout rehearsals and power cuts
Chandigarh authorities have indicated plans for a ten minute “blackout rehearsal” on Wednesday that will require people to shut off all lights (including generators or inverter sets). The drill is considered voluntary and officials clarified that there will not be a power shutdown at hospitals, clinics and medical institutions during the rehearsal. Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner Nishan Kumar Yadav told PTI that people who were outside their home for any reason should “park their cars at the roadside and turn off vehicles’ headlights and lights”. Shopkeepers at markets and shopping malls have also been appealed to keep their lights off for those 10 minutes.
Similar situations are likely to prevail at other places during blackout drills on May 7 — but the exact timing and durations have not been conveyed in many cases. Some places such as Pune have already stated that no blackout is planned during the drills. Residents might be asked to switch of their lights for a small period of time or temporarily evacuate their homes on Wednesday. It is advisable to keep your phones charged and essentials such as water or necessary medicines ready for such a scenario.
Vehicular movement halted?
Ferozepur cantonment in Punjab had held a 30 minute blackout drill on Sunday that also included stopping vehicular traffic from 9:00 pm to 9:30 pm. Sirens could be heard blaring throughout the drill while police teams remained active on the roads. Unlike many other parts of India, this area has also held similar drills in previous years.
A similar policy may be followed on Wednesday in different cities across India. However local authorities have not announced an exact date and time for this (if any) so far.
Public awareness drives
Schools an offices may conduct mock drills on Wednesday — training people on ways to respond to any eventuality. Visuals shared online from Rajasthan and Lucknow ahead of the actual drill showed children practicing certain techniques as instructed. Similar sessions are likely to be conducted at various schools, offices and other locations tomorrow for civilians. They may also be provided with hands-on first aid training, ways to handle fire fighting equipment and taking shelter during emergencies.
“We will clearly show what is to be done when there is a bomb threat. We are making the public aware – how can one take shelter in the open, and if you are in the house, what corner should you choose to take shelter? We will also raise sirens in case of a blackout announcement. We should keep torches at our house for some ease,” a top official in Lucknow told ANI amid preparations.
Air raid sirens and other alarms
Civilians are likely to hear air raid sirens blare as the mock drills are held in various parts of the country on Wednesday. They may also be asked to simulate the conditions of an air raid — such as evacuating to basements or switching lights off. They may also notice efforts to camouflage vital plants and installations while going about their day.
No exams re-scheduled
The Examination department of the University of Mumbai has issued a circular and has instructed all its affiliated institutes and colleges that all exams scheduled for May 7 will happen as scheduled and there is no change in the schedule of exams and all the colleges and institutes should note this.
(With inputs from agencies)