Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, May 7: In a landmark move to bolster national preparedness and public resilience, the Government of India is set to conduct a massive mock drill across 244 locations nationwide today. The exercise, being rolled out under the Civil Defence Act, 1968 (Section 19), will span every state and union territory, targeting both urban landscapes and rural belts.
Aimed at sensitising citizens to potential emergency scenarios — including attacks and natural disasters — the drill will equip participants with crucial survival skills while testing the country’s crisis-response infrastructure.
The mock exercise will see widespread involvement from District Collectors, Civil Defence Volunteers, Home Guards, and personnel from key youth organisations including the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS).
Students from schools and colleges will also take part in the coordinated drill, ensuring awareness begins from the grassroots level.
The drill will begin with the blaring of air raid sirens from key points such as police stations, hospitals, educational institutions, and high-rise buildings. This sound will signify the onset of a simulated attack, prompting an organised evacuation of citizens to pre-identified safe zones like bunkers, basements, or structurally fortified shelters.
Teachers will oversee the safe movement of students, while civil defence officials, along with district administrators, will closely monitor the procedures, ensuring protocols are strictly followed. Any failures — such as siren malfunctions or delayed evacuations — will be analysed, and corrective measures will be chalked out.
Participants will undergo vital training, including air raid safety postures, head and torso protection, and how to remain calm during distressing situations. First aid drills for treating simulated injuries and managing stress in chaos-prone environments will also be part of the curriculum.
In a bid to simulate realistic wartime conditions, authorities will enforce a temporary blackout. City lights, including those in homes, offices, and public spaces, will be turned off to counter potential aerial surveillance or night-time attacks.
Beyond public safety, the exercise will also stress the concealment of key infrastructure such as military bases, mobile towers, rail junctions, and power stations. Techniques like camouflage netting, use of foliage, and strategic covers will be employed to demonstrate ways to evade enemy detection.
Rehearsals will also simulate emergency evacuations from high-risk zones to safer areas, with additional training provided in handling fires, medical crises, and ensuring food and water availability.
With escalating global uncertainties, this initiative underscores the Centre's commitment to instilling a culture of preparedness and self-reliance among the populace. Authorities say that today’s mock drill is not just a test, but a powerful message — that India stands ready, resilient, and united in the face of adversity.