Home Ministry asks states to conduct civil defence mock drills on May 7

In the mock drill, people will be given information and practice, especially on how to protect themselves and others from an air attack. Read further on Dynamite News

New Delhi: Amid rising tensions with Pakistan, following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked states to conduct civil defence mock drills to create awareness among people about rescue preparedness in case of an attack.

According to sources, the ministry has asked the states to conduct this mock drill on May 7.

In the mock drill, people will be given information and practice, especially on how to protect themselves and others from an air attack. People will be informed about the siren sounding and blackout in case of an attack. Along with this, other exercises like taking people to safe places will also be conducted.

Following the dastardly attack, India has taken several actions against Pakistan, including holding the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, shutting air space, and closing the Attari border..

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had vowed the harshest action against the perpetrators and conspirators of the Pahalgam terror attack.

What is a mock drill?

A mock drill is a practice exercise to prepare people, organisations, and authorities for real-life emergency situations, such as fires, earthquakes, medical emergencies, or terrorist attacks.

Through mock drills, an organisation (a country in this case) tests the effectiveness of emergency plans and identifies possible weaknesses in emergency-like situations.

What is India planning for May 7?

All states have been directed to carry out mock drills on May 7, to test the effectiveness of civil defences such as evacuation plans, radio communications, air raid warning systems, control room functions and more.

Where will mock drills be carried out?

The mock drills will be conducted across 244 categorised districts in all states and UTs.

According to the reports, the MHA has identified a total of 295 vulnerable towns/districts across the country where civil defence measures need to be implemented during peacetime.

What to expect during May 7 mock drill?

On May 7, when the mock drills are scheduled across 244 districts, the measures that the states will take include:

Assessing the effectiveness of the air raid warning systems

Checking the hotline and radio communication links with the Indian Air Force (IAF)

Seeing the functionality of control rooms and shadow rooms

Training of civilians, including students, on civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack

Implementation of crash blackout measures

Implementing early camouflage for key installations

Verifying the working and response of Civil Defence Services, including warden services, firefighting, rescue operations and depot management

Assessing the preparedness of evacuation plans and their execution

Why is India conducting mock drills?

Tensions have escalated between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. While India has vowed a strong response to the Pahalgam attackers, Islamabad has long been alleging that New Delhi was preparing a “military strike”.