In light of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government has announced a comprehensive civil defence mock drill scheduled for May 7, 2025. The drill is set to take place across 259 locations nationwide, including key metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune. With more than 100 of these zones marked as highly sensitive, the objective is to test and strengthen India’s preparedness against emerging and complex threats, particularly those involving aerial and cyber warfare.

Air-Raid Sirens, Blackouts, and Civilian Training

The drill will simulate a full-scale emergency scenario. Citizens in these cities will hear air-raid sirens during the day, replicating wartime alert systems. One of the most notable features will be a planned blackout, where city lights will be turned off to make urban centers less visible to enemy aircraft or drones. In addition to the blackouts, civilians will undergo awareness sessions on civil defence protocols, such as identifying evacuation routes, locating public shelters, and preparing emergency kits with essentials like medical supplies, torches, and candles.

Infrastructure Camouflage and Communication Testing

Vital installations including power plants, telecommunication hubs, and military infrastructure will participate in camouflage exercises to hide from potential aerial or satellite surveillance. The Indian Air Force will also use this opportunity to test hotline and radio-communication links with regional command centers. Control rooms and their backups (shadow control rooms) will be evaluated for their ability to maintain uninterrupted communication during simulated attacks or power failures.

Evacuation and Rescue Operations Simulation

Another major component of the mock drill involves simulating mass evacuations from high-risk areas. Mock movements of people to safer zones will help authorities evaluate the efficiency of current evacuation strategies. Public bunkers and trenches will be cleaned and inspected, ensuring their readiness in real emergency situations. Emergency services including fire brigades, medical teams, depot managers, and civil defence wardens will be on active duty, ready to respond to simulated crises throughout the exercise.

Ferozepur’s Blackout: A Preview of What’s to Come

Ahead of the nationwide drill, Ferozepur Cantonment near the India-Pakistan border conducted a 30-minute blackout on May 4. The power cut, accompanied by loud hooters, was intended to assess readiness in implementing blackout procedures under threat. The success of this localized exercise has set a precedent for May 7, emphasizing the critical need for community-level preparedness and coordination in the face of increasing cross-border threats. The mock drill is a reminder that civilian awareness and infrastructure readiness are as vital as military strength in ensuring national security.

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Source – Business Today