States prepare for blackout and evacuation rehearsals as MHA steps up emergency preparedness post-Pahalgam attack.
Hyderabad: Amidst escalating tensions with Pakistan following the deadly April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday directed all states to conduct mock civil defence drills on May 7 as part of ramping up emergency preparedness, and to create awareness among people on how to respond and act during any emergency.
These directives came just a day after a mock blackout drill was conducted in Ferozpur Cantt of Punjab on Sunday evening.
That the need for mock drills is being taken very seriously by the Government of India was also underscored by information that a meeting of top officials — from all states — responsible for disaster management, and relief work, has been called in Delhi on May 8 and 9, and the gathering is expected to be addressed by defence minister Rajnath Singh.
The mock drills are to have several components and activities including operationalising air raid warning sirens; implementing crash blackout measures; training of civilians, including students, and others in various aspects of civil defence to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack; making provisions for early camouflaging of vital plants and installations; and checking evacuation plans, updating them and rehearsing such plans.
Meanwhile, senior government officials in Hyderabad said on Monday that the state police and other agencies are all set to coordinate with the central institutions, organisations and security forces to conduct joint mock drills in Hyderabad, and the rest of the state.
Hyderabad, with several scientific and defence related establishments, is a very important city, and officials said during the mock drills, the uniformed forces will create awareness among civilians on individual and public safety. Among the activities would be focus on actions to be taken in case of fire mishaps, sabotages and terror attacks, and on how civilians should act, the steps they should take in case of such events, and assist security forces if called upon to do so.
Such drills are designed to help people to have clear minds, and how to cope with potentially difficult situations, the official added.
A senior police officer said, “We have already stepped-up vigilance on all fronts. The police are trained to handle any such situation and with everyone’s cooperation, any untoward development can be handled.”
Infograph
Civil Defence Mock Drills
· Assess effectiveness of air raid warning systems
· Operationalise hotline/radio communication links with Indian Air Force
· Test functionality of control rooms and shadow control rooms
· Implementing crash blackout measures
· Training of civilians, including students, on protection during a hostile attack
· Provisions for early camouflaging of vital plants and installations
· To verify activation and response of civil defence services, including warden services, firefighting, rescue operations, and depot management
· Evaluate preparedness of evacuation plans and their execution.
