Desk: Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. In this context, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all states and Union Territories to conduct a mock drill on May 7. A circular has been sent to all Chief Secretaries, outlining the measures to be implemented during the drill.
The ministry stated that mock drills and rehearsals for civil defense will be conducted across 244 districts on May 7. The exercise is planned to be carried out even at the village level. The aim of this nationwide initiative is to assess and enhance the preparedness of the civil defense mechanism in all states and Union Territories.
What is a Mock Drill and Why is the Government Organizing It?
A mock drill is a type of preparedness exercise carried out to simulate emergency situations such as natural disasters, fires, terrorist attacks, or other crises. The primary purpose is to train people, organizations, and emergency services to respond effectively in real-life scenarios. It helps test current response strategies and identify areas of improvement.
In a densely populated country like India, mock drills are crucial for strengthening emergency preparedness and raising awareness among the public.
Objectives of the Mock Drill:
• To check the effectiveness of the air raid warning system.
• To operationalize hotline/radio communication links with the Indian Air Force.
• To test the readiness of control rooms and shadow control rooms.
• To train civilians, including students, in civil defense procedures.
• To implement crash blackout measures.
• To ensure quick readiness of essential plants/installations.
• To test the activation and response of civil defense services such as warden services, firefighting, rescue operations, and depot management.
• To review the evacuation plans in case of emergencies.