New Delhi: In a major step to reinforce national security and disaster preparedness, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed 244 districts across the country to conduct comprehensive civil defence drills on May 7. This move comes amid rising Indo-Pak tensions and follows the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.
The timing of the Centre’s order is crucial. The last such drill was conducted in 1971, the year in which India and Pakistan went into war.
The large-scale mock drills will span both urban and rural regions in several states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. According to the MHA directive issued earlier this week, the exercises aim to simulate real-time emergency responses with a particular focus on air raid warnings and blackout protocols.
Labelled a proactive measure in light of the current “geo-political scenario,” the exercise seeks to test and enhance preparedness across civil defence systems. The April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir has added urgency to the initiative.
A senior official from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) stated after a high-level meeting, “We are reviewing readiness levels and have identified gaps that need immediate correction.”
Border states such as Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir will also take part in the simulation, with added focus on high-risk and strategic regions.
In Jharkhand, six districts — Ranchi, Bokaro, East Singhbhum, Godda, Sahebganj, and Gomio — have been shortlisted for participation, despite the state comprising 24 districts.
The drill aligns with a series of high-level security meetings being chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to determine India’s strategic response to the growing security challenges.
The exercises are expected to involve wide-scale participation, including district controllers, local authorities, civil defence wardens, home guards (active and reserve), volunteers, and members of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), as well as students from schools and colleges.
In several districts, civilians may experience temporary disruptions such as blackouts, mobile signal suspensions, or traffic diversions as part of the simulated scenarios. Local authorities may also conduct public evacuation drills and announce mock emergencies to test community response.
Furthermore, police and paramilitary forces may simulate war-like situations, and air raid warning systems are expected to be activated to evaluate alert mechanisms. District control rooms and their backup shadow units will also be assessed for operational readiness.
The Centre has urged full cooperation from state governments to ensure the drills effectively enhance the country’s emergency response capabilities.
After 54 years a war warning siren will ring in the country.,,Jai Hind.