The Civil Defence unit in Lucknow conducted rehearsal mock drills on Tuesday in the police lines area, preparing for a nationwide emergency exercise scheduled for May 7. This initiative comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives and left many injured.
The drills, conducted in coordination with the police and local administration, were aimed at testing readiness for air attacks or other emergency situations. As part of the preparations, air raid sirens were tested, and public awareness campaigns were launched to instruct citizens on how to respond during such crises.
“We’re a disciplined team and know our duties during emergencies. We are informing the public about sheltering procedures, both in open areas and indoors. In case of a blackout, we’ll raise sirens and advise people to keep torches ready,” said Amarnath Mishra, Chief Warden of Civil Defence.
Earlier in the day, a training session was held for civil defence personnel to brief them on disaster response protocols, crowd control, and damage minimization measures during potential attacks.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar has instructed all districts to conduct similar mock drills with full public coordination and has ordered enhanced security arrangements statewide. “Nineteen districts have been categorized based on sensitivity, but mock drills will be held in all districts in collaboration with police, fire, civil administration, and disaster departments,” Kumar said.
The Union Home Ministry, which has directed the drills nationwide, has also recommended key civil defence measures including air raid siren activation, blackout protocols, camouflage of vital installations, and evacuation plan rehearsals to ensure citizen safety during any hostile scenario.
