In the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, national security concerns have escalated, prompting Indian authorities to initiate large-scale preparedness measures. Fears of a possible armed conflict with Pakistan have grown significantly, and the Indian government is leaving little to chance.
As part of this heightened state of alert, nationwide mock drills are set to begin on Wednesday (May 7) to prepare civilians for emergency situations, particularly in the event of an air raid.
The drills are being coordinated by disaster management authorities and other key agencies, including the fire services.
Mock drill preparations in Odisha:
In Odisha, the first phase of these mock drills will be launched in coastal districts and urban zones. Beginning at 4 pm tomorrow, a siren will sound for approximately five minutes to signal the start of the drill, said Sudhanshu Sarangi, Odisha Fire Services DG.
He added that after the completion of the exercise, another siren will notify citizens that the drill has concluded. Further, this phased programme will continue for a week across 12 designated districts across the state.
“Angul, Khordha, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Dhenkanal, Puri, Koraput, and Sundargarh are the districts where mock drills will start tomorrow,” said Sarangi.
Motive of the mock drills:
The drills aim to simulate enemy airstrikes and educate the general public on how to respond effectively during such attacks, he added. Citizens may be guided to take shelter under reinforced concrete structures and stay away from open or vulnerable areas, reports stated.
“We will also conduct mock drills across populated cities and major settlements. OSDMA (Odisha State Disaster Management Authority) personnel will carry out mock drills in several coastal areas to prepare for adverse conditions,” said the DG.
NCC, NSS, and other services will also be mobilised. Further, awareness campaigns will accompany these exercises to ensure the population understands the importance of swift, safe responses.
Special attention is being given to densely populated and slum areas. Authorities are working on evacuation and relocation strategies to move residents from high-risk zones to safer shelters should the need arise.
As per the Geneva Convention, an enemy country cannot attack on Red Cross and healthcare establishments. However, the civil defence mock drills will be aimed at ensuring the safety of all vital public institutions, noted Sarangi.
These efforts come at a time of heightened vigilance along the border and are part of a broader national strategy to ensure readiness in the face of any potential escalation.
