Blackouts, drills at airports: How India-wide civil defence exercise unfolded – all you need to know | India News

NEW DELHI: India carried out a nationwide civil defence exercise, “Operation Abhyaas,” on Wednesday, featuring drills simulating air raids, fire emergencies, rescue operations, and other emergency scenarios across multiple states and Union Territories.The Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier announced these security exercises on Monday, which were implemented across numerous states and UTs, including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.This exercise occurred shortly after the Indian military initiated Operation Sindoor against terror facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The military action was conducted in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in 26 casualties.The emergency preparedness exercise assessed various aspects including civilian response training, blackout procedures, protection of crucial facilities, civil defence service effectiveness, and evacuation protocol implementation.Delhi security drill: Sirens, evacuations, and moment of blackout Loud sirens, people rushing to safety, and mock injured victims being carried on stretchers were among the scenes during security drills held at 55 locations across Delhi. Delhi witnessed substantial security arrangements with PCR vehicles, fire engines positioned strategically, alongside deployment of security personnel and civil defence volunteers.Emergency response teams utilised Delhi Fire Services cranes for evacuating individuals “trapped” in tall buildings. Alert sirens rang at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, prompting fire brigade units to respond alongside medical teams and ambulances.Educational institutions across Delhi participated in safety procedures, including systematic evacuations, desk sheltering, and powering down electrical equipment upon hearing warning sirens.Later that evening, various areas of the capital, including Lutyens’ Delhi, experienced an unprecedented 15-minute power cut, which resulted in darkness across significant areas, encompassing Parliament, India Gate, diplomatic missions and administrative centres, as part of the nationwide civil defence exercise.The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) implemented the blackout from 8 pm to 8.15 pm to replicate emergency wartime conditions.Punjab conducted fire emergencies and rescue operationsPunjab conducted emergency simulations across multiple cities including Ferozepur, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Bathinda, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Patiala, Pathankot, Barnala and Mohali, focusing on fire emergencies and rescue operations.Blackout at Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, as part of the mock drill.Mumbai conducted exercises at strategic locationsIn Mumbai, strategic locations, particularly railway stations, were involved in the exercise. At Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Central Railway’s civil defence team conducted exercises to evaluate security force readiness during emergencies, serves thousands of daily commuters.CSMT, a crucial railway junction that witnessed the November 2008 terrorist attacks, handles substantial daily suburban and long-distance passenger traffic.Bengaluru authorities carried out a large-scale civil defence Bengaluru authorities implemented extensive civil defence exercises across various city locations.Officials reported that following the 3.48 pm siren, civil defence personnel, police, and emergency services immediately initiated their response protocols. The exercise continued for thirty minutes.Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad practiced casualty managementIn Tamil Nadu, senior officials conducted security exercises at two vital installations: the Madras Atomic Power Station at Kalpakkam and Chennai port.Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, staged exercises with multi-department participation, simulating response to bomb attack scenarios.Hyderabad, Telangana’s capital, conducted emergency preparedness exercises citywide. The drills involved police, fire services, and disaster response teams at four city locations, practising evacuation procedures and casualty management.Emergency preparedness exercises were conducted across key locations spanning 14 districts in Kerala. The drill at Ernakulam’s Collectorate commenced with an alarm signal, followed by power shutdown.Eastern India conducted exercise with various departmentsIn eastern India, four prestigious Kolkata schools – “DPS-Ruby Park, La Martiniere for Boys, La Martiniere for Girls and Future Foundation School” – carried out evacuation procedures.Under light rainfall, the exercise took place in Ranchi’s Doranda region, with traffic being redirected to accommodate the simulation activities.Civil defence drills were implemented across 12 Odisha districts, including the major centres of Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur and Rourkela.In Assam, the Police’s Home Guard and Civil Defence division coordinated the exercise alongside various departments including fire services, health, disaster management, BSNL and DIPR.An official reported that in Mizoram’s Aizawl, drills were executed at selected spots covering a two-kilometre area. The exercise included a five-minute blackout in Aizawl starting at 6.30 pm.(With input from agencies)