The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all states and Union Territories (UTs) to hold a civil defence mock drill on May 7. This comes after tensions rose between India and Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 people.

The home ministry said that these drills will take place in 244 districts, which have been identified as important due to their location near borders or because they have big cities, industries or other vital installations.

The ministry said, "This exercise aims to assess and enhance the readiness of civil defence mechanisms across the states and union territories." The plan is to train people and test how prepared each area is in case of a future attack.

Officials said that a recent incident involving a missile attack by Yemen's Houthi group on Israel's Tel Aviv airport also reminded governments of the importance of civil defence planning.

The MHA first informed all states about the drills on May 2. A second, updated advisory was sent on Monday. The drills are to be done not just in cities but also in villages.

What will happen on May 7, and what does it mean for people?

On May 7, civil defence drills will be held across notified civil defence districts. These drills are not a sign of panic or immediate danger. Instead, they are a way for both the authorities and the public to learn what to do in case of an actual emergency.

The advisory clearly said that the aim is to train civilians and test systems. It said:
"This exercise aims to assess the effectiveness of air raid warning systems, operationalise hotline and radio communication links with the Indian Air Force, test the functionality of control and shadow control rooms, and train civilians, students, and others on how to protect themselves when faced with a hostile attack."

During the mock drills, the following will happen:

  • Air raid sirens will be tested
  • People will practice blackout measures (turning off lights in case of air raids)
  • Important areas like factories and power plants will be covered or camouflaged
  • Citizens will rehearse how to evacuate in case of danger
  • Students and volunteers will be trained in safety steps

People who will take part include Civil Defence wardens, Home Guards, NCC, NSS volunteers, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) members, and school and college students.

The government said, “The mock drill to be held on Wednesday should be planned down to the village level.”

Officials will study the results of the drill and use them to improve readiness in the future.

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