Hyderabad:

The simulation will occur across the entire region within the Outer Ring Road (ORR), bringing together 12 vital civil defence services, including the police, fire brigade, medical teams, rescue units, and municipal authorities. The operation is being carried out under the Civil Defence Act of 1968, which requires periodic drills to sharpen both institutional and public preparedness.

This afternoon, Hyderabad will come to a brief standstill as the city participates in a sweeping civil defence mock drill, part of a nationwide emergency readiness campaign called “Operation Abhyaas,” following India’s military action in Pakistan. The 30-minute exercise, scheduled from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM on May 7, will test the city’s ability to respond to an air raid scenario, one of the most critical forms of urban emergency.

Mock drill follows India’s retaliatory military action on Pakistan

At precisely 1:44 AM, the Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes against nine locations across the border in Pakistan and the region of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. These sites were believed to be closely linked to terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, organisations long accused of orchestrating deadly attacks in India.

This mock drill follows, India’s military action on Pakistan based terrorism. In the stillness of the early morning hours on Wednesday, while most of the subcontinent slept, India launched a bold and calculated response to one of the deadliest attacks on its soil in recent times.

Civil defence mock drill in Hyderabad; here’s what to expect

At precisely 4:00 PM, sirens will ring out across Hyderabad from various sources, industrial facilities, fire engines, police vehicles, and patrol units, marking the start of the mock attack. The two-minute siren will serve as the city’s cue to activate emergency protocols.

By 4:15 PM, simulated impact zones will be announced at four locations, coordinated by the Integrated Command and Control Centre. Emergency teams will begin mock deployment at 4:20 PM, racing to these sites to carry out staged rescue and relief efforts.

Residents are being asked to take part actively by heading indoors, turning off gas and electrical appliances, and remaining inside until the all-clear is sounded. Officials have stressed the importance of tuning in only to official sources for information, and avoiding the circulation of rumours or unverified messages.

Hyderabad Police to cordon off affected areas

Meanwhile, transport services will ferry mock evacuees to designated shelters, where officials from the Revenue Department, Civil Supplies, and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) will provide first-line support and essential services.

Police officers will cordon off affected areas, control onlookers, and support other emergency teams. Firefighters and search-and-rescue crews will practise extinguishing fires and locating mock victims. Disaster Response Forces will simulate clearing rubble and moving the injured, while medical staff will triage and treat patients before transferring them to temporary medical posts.

No blackout in Hyderabad during mock drill today

Although such drills typically include blackout protocols, these will be skipped on this occasion as the drill is taking place in daylight. However, residents will be reminded of standard blackout measures, such as switching off lights, covering windows, dimming vehicle headlights, and shielding key installations.

The exercise will wrap up at 4:30 PM with a final round of sirens to mark the end of the operation.

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