On 7th May 2025, a nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drill is being conducted across 244 districts to assess preparedness for hostile attacks. The exercise aims to test communication systems, control rooms, evacuation plans, and train civilians, enhancing coordination and readiness across states and union territories, including participation by NCC cadets.
What is a Civil Defence Mock Drill?
- A Civil Defence Mock Drill is a simulated emergency exercise designed to evaluate and enhance the preparedness and response capabilities of various civil defence agencies and the general public during emergencies such as natural disasters, air raids, or hostile attacks.
- These drills involve coordinated actions by local authorities, emergency services, and volunteers to test systems like warning mechanisms, communication networks, evacuation procedures, and the functioning of control rooms.
- The objective is to identify gaps in the civil defence infrastructure, improve inter-agency coordination, and educate citizens on safety protocols.
- Activities may include evacuation rehearsals, air raid simulations, crash blackouts, camouflaging of vital installations, and training civilians and students in protective measures.
- By simulating real-life emergency scenarios, these drills aim to minimize panic, reduce response time, and ensure effective disaster management.
- Civil Defence Mock Drills are essential tools for building a resilient society capable of responding swiftly and efficiently to unforeseen threats.
Aims and objectives of Civil Defence Mock Drill on 7th May 2025
- The Civil Defence Mock Drill conducted on 7th May 2025 aimed to evaluate and strengthen the nation’s preparedness against potential hostile threats and emergencies.
- Organized across 244 Civil Defence Districts down to the village level, the primary objectives included assessing the operational readiness of air raid warning systems, control rooms, and emergency communication networks, including radio links with the Indian Air Force.
- The drill also focused on training civilians, students, and NCC cadets in protective measures, ensuring community awareness and participation.
- Additional goals involved testing crash blackout procedures, early camouflaging of vital installations, and updating and rehearsing evacuation plans.
- By simulating realistic emergency scenarios, the exercise aimed to enhance coordination between civil and defence authorities, identify response gaps, and promote a culture of safety and preparedness across all States and Union Territories.
- Ultimately, the drill sought to build a resilient civil defence mechanism capable of swift and effective action during crises.
Timing and Schedule of Civil Defence Mock Drill
The nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drill, code-named Operation Abhyaas, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 2025, across 244 districts in India. The primary objective is to assess and enhance the country’s preparedness for potential hostile threats and emergencies.
Timing Overview
- General Start Time: Most regions will commence the drill at 4:00 PM IST.
- Delhi: Drills are planned at 55 locations across all 11 districts, starting at 4:00 PM.
- Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR): Air raid sirens will sound in around 60 areas at 4:00 PM, followed by a 5-minute power blackout to simulate wartime conditions.
- Chandigarh: A 10-minute blackout drill is scheduled from 7:30 PM to 7:40 PM, with air raid warning sirens activated at 7:30 PM.
- Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh): The blackout drill is set from 8:00 PM to 8:10 PM.
- Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh): Drills will be conducted at 7:00 PM in two locations: Kotha Jalaripeta and Oxygen Towers.
- Hyderabad: The drill will take place between 4:00 PM and 4:30 PM within the Outer Ring Road limits, involving key locations like Secunderabad, Golconda Fort, Kanchan Bagh, and Nacharam.
Activities During the Drill
- Air Raid Sirens: Activation in multiple areas to simulate emergency alerts.
- Power Blackouts: Short-duration blackouts in select regions to mimic wartime conditions.
- Evacuation Drills: Rehearsals for safe and orderly evacuations.
- Public Training Sessions: Educating civilians on safety protocols during emergencies.
- Testing Communication Systems: Ensuring the functionality of control rooms and communication links with the Indian Air Force.
Residents are advised to participate actively and follow instructions from local authorities to ensure the effectiveness of the drill and enhance community preparedness.
Way Forward
To strengthen future preparedness, regular mock drills should be institutionalized with increased civilian participation. Enhanced inter-agency coordination, upgraded communication systems, and community-level awareness programs will ensure swift, effective response during emergencies. Continuous training, feedback integration, and use of technology can further boost India’s civil defence resilience nationwide.
Conclusion
The Civil Defence Mock Drill on 7th May 2025 aimed to strengthen India’s emergency preparedness by testing communication systems, control rooms, and evacuation plans. Involving villages, students, and NCC cadets, it ensured coordination across agencies and improved civilian readiness against hostile threats through hands-on training and practical simulations.
Read this article in Hindi: सिविल डिफेंस मॉक ड्रिल
