Rising tensions and continued cross-border firing by Pakistan has prompted the Centre to order a statewide civil defence mock drill on Wednesday, May 7. The instruction, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), seeks to improve preparedness for potential 'hostile attacks.' The action comes after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22 that killed 26 people, the majority of whom were tourists.
The nationwide mock drill will involve several measures, including the activation of air raid sirens, civil defence training for civilians, blackout drills, early camouflage for key infrastructure, and rehearsals of evacuation procedures. This will mark the most extensive civil defence operation since the 1971 war.
While the timing of the drill is not yet clearly known, many have raised questions about its potential impact on the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The clash tomorrow will be between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), scheduled to take place at Eden Gardens.
However, former Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar downplayed the concerns, saying the drills are unlikely to disrupt the match. Sunil Gavaskar acknowledged that a lights-off drill in the city during the evening could pose a minor concern and emphasized that overall, there is no cause for alarm according to?Sports Today.?
Gavaskar also said that people in India, including overseas players, feel safe and secure, expressing strong confidence in the armed forces who, he noted, have ensured the nation's peace and safety for years.
According to a notification from the Union Home Ministry, the nationwide civil defence drill on May 7 will focus on the following key activities
Testing Air Raid Sirens: Assess the effectiveness of sirens in alerting the public about potential aerial threats.
Civilian Training: Train civilians, including students, in basic civil defence techniques such as seeking shelter and responding to hostile situations.
Blackout Drills: Conduct blackout exercises where residents may be asked to switch off lights to simulate air raid conditions.
Communication Testing: Activate and test hotline and radio links between civil authorities and the Indian Air Force.
Control Room Assessment: Evaluate the functionality of emergency control rooms and their backup "shadow rooms."
Infrastructure Protection: Implement early camouflage and shielding measures for critical facilities like airfields, refineries, and rail yards.?
Rescue and Evacuation Preparedness: Rehearse evacuation procedures to move people from high-risk zones to safe areas.?
Emergency Response Training: Test the readiness of rescue teams and firefighters.
First Aid and Safety Skills: Provide civilians with practical training in first aid, using fire-fighting equipment, and finding shelter during attacks.?
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