MHA announces nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drill on May 7; Here is what you can expect during the process in Hyderabad

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has instructed the administration to conduct the exercise, which will include blackout simulations, air raid sirens, evacuation drills, and public training sessions to prepare for war-like emergencies

Hyderabad: With heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam massacre in which 26 people were killed by terrorists, the Union Government has announced a nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drill on May 7.

In a circular issued to the State governments, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has instructed the administration to conduct the exercise, which will include blackout simulations, air raid sirens, evacuation drills, and public training sessions to prepare for war-like emergencies.

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Officials here, however, clarified that the drill is not a signal of immediate war but part of broader civil defence efforts and rules laid down under the Civil Defence Rules Act 1968.

What is a civil defence mock drill?

A mock drill is an exercise to gauge the level of preparedness and response to a situation by civilians and government machinery during emergencies like war, missile attacks, or aerial strikes. The drills like any other mock drill have real-life scenarios created to train and check the preparedness of the stakeholders.

“These drills aim to reduce panic, avoid confusion, and save lives by increasing awareness and readiness among the people. It is to prepare people for the worst situations,” said a senior police official.

The drills are based on protocols laid down during World War II by different countries. During the period the countries prepared for possible air raids and bombing by running blackout and evacuation drills.

What citizens can expect during mock drill?

During the drill, the people can expect suspension of mobile signals, traffic diversions, temporary blackouts, shutdown of internet services. Authorities will make public announcements through police vehicles or military vehicles.

“Citizens will have to switch off lights or the power department will stop power supply to residential areas as part of the exercise. This reduces the risk of detection of human habitats during night-time airstrikes,” said another senior police official.

What do people need to do?

It is advisable in such situations to keep water, medicines, torch lights, and rations stocked at their homes to meet any eventuality. It is important not to panic and not to believe in any social media information coming through unverified platforms. One should obediently adhere to the government advisories.

The drills will be carried out across officially notified Civil Defence districts in coordination with state and district authorities. Participants will include Civil Defence wardens, Home Guards, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) members, and students from schools and colleges.

What citizens can expect during the mock drill:

Short-term power cuts.

Blackout simulations.

Loud sirens.

Restricted access to certain public areas.

Traffic diversions.

People in high risk zones will have evacuation drills.

India last used this method extensively in 1971.