The News National
The Union Home Ministry has asked several states to conduct mock drills on Wednesday to evaluate civil defence preparedness.
Sources in the Ministry said that the measures to be undertaken include operationalization of Air Raid Warning Sirens and training of civilians and students on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack.
Sources added that the measures also include the provision of crash blackout measures, provision for early camouflaging of vital installations and update of the evacuation plan and its rehearsal.
A mock drill is a kind of a practice operation designed to prepare individuals for potential emergencies or critical situations.
A mock drill is a kind of a practice operation designed to prepare individuals for potential emergencies or critical situations. The last such drill was held in 1971, the same year India and Pakistan went to war on two fronts.
The April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s ‘mini Switzerland’ Pahalgam – which claimed 26 lives – has been linked to Pakistan-backed terrorist groups, bringing bilateral tensions into a melting pot.
MHA’s measures for mock drill
The measures outlined by the MHA include:
1.Operationalisation of Air Raid Warning Sirens
2. Training of civilians, students, on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack.
3. Provision of crash black out measures
4. Provision for early camouflaging of vital plants/installations
5. Updation of evacuation plan & its rehearsal.
Rehearsal for blackout in Ferozepur Cantonment
A 30-minute rehearsal for blackout was already carried out on Sunday, May 4 across the Ferozepur Cantonment area. The exercise, held from 9:00 to 9:30 pm, was conducted under the directives of the Cantonment Board and Station Commander.
“All lights were switched off as per senior officers’ orders. Any vehicles found with lights on were immediately asked to switch them off,” said Gurjant Singh, SHO of Ferozepur Cantt Police Station told PTI.
