India will hold a massive mock drill called Operation Abhyas on Wednesday, May 7, covering 244 sites as part of an all-encompassing national preparedness exercise. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has organized this exercise to test preparedness in case of a potential war situation, especially after the recent terror strike in Pahalgam.
The exercise simulation, triggered by heightened geopolitical tensions, will feature air raid sirens, citywide blackouts, evacuations, and emergency response drills. The objective is to enhance both civilian and administrative preparedness for possible cross-border threats or war-like emergencies.
An MHA official said the exercise is being conducted to enhance India’s Integrated Response System (IRS), meant to protect citizens in times of emergency, like aerial attacks or foreign aggression. “The sirens, black outs, and evacuation drills are being initiated at all levels—from big metros to village clusters so that there is national readiness,” the ministry explained.
Drill Timings and Locations
Mock drills are to start at 4 PM in most areas, although timings can differ according to local administrative schedules. Here’s a summary of major cities and timings:
Delhi: Drills will be conducted between 4 PM and 7 PM.
Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh): SSP B Murthy confirmed the drill at Reserve Police Lines is rescheduled to start at 4 PM.
Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh): A blackout is scheduled from 8 PM to 8:10 PM. DM Avinash Singh has asked the residents to “turn off lights, inverters, and refrain from using phones or flashlights.”
Kerala: Mock drills will begin at 4 PM in all 14 districts, according to official reports.
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh): Air raid sirens will sound at Kotha Jalaripeta at 4 PM, while there will be a blackout at 7 PM at the Kotha Jalaripeta area and Oxygen Towers.
Dehradun (Uttarakhand): Sirens and warning hooters will be activated at 4 PM at five major points which include Dhara Police Chowki and the District Magistrate Complex.
Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu): A 30-minute drill from 4 PM to 4:30 PM is scheduled at the Madras Atomic Power Station and the Chennai Port Trust.
The exercise is intended to enhance public awareness and check India’s civil defence preparedness. Stay tuned for live updates on drill progress and other local regulations.
