On May 7, Delhi will witness a large-scale emergency preparedness drill that aims to make the city safer and more resilient in the face of crises. This exercise, called ‘Operation Abhyaas’, is part of a nationwide initiative to ensure that everyone-from schoolchildren to police officers-knows what to do if a real emergency strikes.
Why Is the Drill Happening?
The recent terror attack in Pahalgam has raised concerns about national security. In response, the government has decided to test and strengthen the city’s ability to handle emergencies like air raids, blackouts, and evacuations. The idea is simple: practice now so that if a real threat emerges, everyone is ready to act quickly and calmly.
What Will Happen During the Drill?
At exactly 4 PM, sirens will sound across 55 locations in Delhi, including schools, hospitals, markets, residential complexes, and government offices. These sirens are a signal to start the drill. Here’s what you can expect:
- Air Raid Sirens: Loud sirens will alert people to the start of the mock emergency.
- Blackout Procedures: In some areas, there may be brief power cuts to simulate a real blackout.
- Evacuation Protocols: People in selected buildings will practice moving to safe places, like underground shelters or reinforced rooms.
- Search and Rescue Operations: Teams will conduct mock rescues, helping ‘injured’ people and guiding others to safety.
- Temporary Hospitals: Some locations will set up temporary medical stations to treat ‘casualties’ as part of the simulation.
The goal is to test how quickly everyone can respond and how well different agencies-like police, fire services, hospitals, and civil defence volunteers-work together.
Who Is Involved?
This is a massive team effort. More than 7,000 Civil Defence volunteers and 1,800 trained disaster response helpers will be on the ground. They’ll work alongside:
- Local police and traffic police
- Firefighters
- Home guards
- Health workers and hospital staff
- School teachers and students
- Officials from the departments of revenue, transport, education, and power
Even the city’s top officials are involved, holding meetings to ensure every detail is covered.
What Should Residents Do?
If you live or work in Delhi, here’s how you can participate and stay safe during the drill:
- Listen for Sirens: When you hear the sirens, follow instructions from officials or volunteers.
- Prepare a Blackout Kit: Keep items like torches, candles, cash, and a basic medical kit handy, just in case there’s a power cut.
- Stay Calm: Remember, this is only a drill. It’s meant to help you learn what to do in a real emergency.
- Follow Evacuation Instructions: If asked to move to a safe area, do so quickly and orderly.
- Help Others: Assist children, elderly people, and anyone who may need extra help.
Schools have been asked to hold special training sessions for students, teaching them how to respond to emergencies and why preparedness matters.
Why Are These Drills Important?
Emergencies can happen without warning, whether natural disasters or man-made threats. Practising what to do helps everyone stay calm and act fast, which can save lives and reduce panic. These drills also help identify any weak spots in the city’s emergency plans, so improvements can be made before a real crisis occurs.
What Happens After the Drill?
Once the drill is over, officials will review how things went. They’ll look at what worked well and what needs to be better. Feedback from this exercise will help shape future training, improve safety plans, and make Delhi and other cities better prepared for any emergency.
‘Operation Abhyaas’ is more than just a practice run; it’s a reminder that safety is everyone’s responsibility. By working together, staying alert, and knowing what to do, Delhi’s residents can help protect themselves, their families, and their community. So, when you hear those sirens at 4 PM, remember: it’s all about being ready, staying safe, and building a stronger, more prepared city for the future.
