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A nationwide civil defence mock drill is set to take place on Wednesday, May 7, across 244 districts in India, on directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs to states and Union territories to be prepared for “hostile” attacks amid standoff with Pakistan over the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 26 people were killed.
Terrorists, suspected to have links with Pakistan, opened fire at Baisaran meadow near the picturesque Jammu and Kashmir town of Pahalgam on April 22, killing 26 people, most of whom were tourists.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have been on the rise since then.
Though the nationwide mock drills are a simulation, the large scale of the operation may raise questions among the public.
Here’s a quick FAQ to clarify what to expect:
What is a mock drill, what’s the purpose?
The mock drills aim to test India’s readiness for emergency situations such as air raids, blackouts, and evacuations. According to an official communication, “Civil Defence is considered an integral component of Nation’s Passive Defence strategy. The implementation of Civil Defence measures in the vulnerable areas is governed by the Civil Defence Act, 1968”.
A Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notice stated that in the current geo-political scenario, new and complex threats/challenges have emerged, hence, it would be “prudent that optimum Civil Defence preparedness in the States/UTs is maintained at all times.”
Will schools, colleges, and banks remain open?
Yes. All schools, colleges, banks, government offices, and other institutions are expected to remain operational. The drill is designed to integrate with daily routines without causing major disruptions.
Will there be power cuts or blackouts?
There may be brief blackout exercises in select locations, involving voluntary lights-off participation because among the key measures to be carried out during the mock drills is a ‘crash blackout’, which constitutes an emergency shutdown of lights and visible infrastructure designed to reduce the visibility of targets during potential air raids…..
Terrorists, suspected to have links with Pakistan, opened fire at Baisaran meadow near the picturesque Jammu and Kashmir town of Pahalgam on April 22, killing 26 people, most of whom were tourists.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have been on the rise since then.
Though the nationwide mock drills are a simulation, the large scale of the operation may raise questions among the public.
Here’s a quick FAQ to clarify what to expect:
What is a mock drill, what’s the purpose?
The mock drills aim to test India’s readiness for emergency situations such as air raids, blackouts, and evacuations. According to an official communication, “Civil Defence is considered an integral component of Nation’s Passive Defence strategy. The implementation of Civil Defence measures in the vulnerable areas is governed by the Civil Defence Act, 1968”.
A Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notice stated that in the current geo-political scenario, new and complex threats/challenges have emerged, hence, it would be “prudent that optimum Civil Defence preparedness in the States/UTs is maintained at all times.”
Will schools, colleges, and banks remain open?
Yes. All schools, colleges, banks, government offices, and other institutions are expected to remain operational. The drill is designed to integrate with daily routines without causing major disruptions.
Will there be power cuts or blackouts?
There may be brief blackout exercises in select locations, involving voluntary lights-off participation because among the key measures to be carried out during the mock drills is a ‘crash blackout’, which constitutes an emergency shutdown of lights and visible infrastructure designed to reduce the visibility of targets during potential air raids…..
