India is conducting a sweeping nationwide emergency preparedness drill—Operation Abhyas—today, Wednesday, May 7. The large-scale exercise spans 244 districts and has been initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as a strategic response to rising geopolitical risks and the recent terror incident in Pahalgam.
The mock drill includes a series of coordinated activities to simulate wartime conditions such as power outages, sirens warning of air strikes, evacuation procedures, and emergency response protocols. The primary aim is to bolster the nation’s civil defence readiness and ensure that both authorities and the public are equipped to handle high-risk scenarios, especially in the context of potential conflict with Pakistan.
This drill forms part of India’s Integrated Response System (IRS), a nationwide safety framework designed to respond efficiently to external threats and crises.
Key Timings and Locations:
- Delhi: Scheduled to run from 4 PM to 7 PM, involving various emergency simulations across the city.
- Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh: According to SSP B. Murthy, mock drills will commence at 4 PM at the Reserve Police Lines as part of the scheduled preparedness exercise.
- Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh: A 10-minute complete power cut is planned from 8 PM to 8:10 PM. The District Magistrate has requested residents to switch off all lights, electronic devices, and avoid using phones or torches.
- Kerala: All 14 districts will participate, with drills beginning at 4 PM, according to local authorities.
- Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh: A mock air raid will take place in Kotha Jalaripeta at 4 PM, followed by a scheduled blackout at 7 PM affecting Kotha Jalaripeta and Oxygen Towers.
- Dehradun, Uttarakhand: At 4 PM, warning sirens will be sounded in five areas including the District Magistrate Complex and Dhara Police Chowki.
- Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu: The drill is scheduled between 4 PM and 4:30 PM at key installations including the Madras Atomic Power Station and the Chennai Port Trust.
Designed to reach every corner of the country—from urban metros to remote villages—Operation Abhyas underscores the government’s efforts to enhance national alertness. The exercise also helps assess the operational capabilities of local administrations and emergency services under simulated attack conditions.
