Mega Security Drill Today: Key Sites In South India Announced — Details Inside

Amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has initiated a large-scale civil defence exercise across 244 districts in India. The countrywide mock drill, aimed at testing first-response preparedness in emergencies such as air raids and blackouts, is set to take place on Wednesday, May 7.

The Ministry described the operation as part of a broader strategy to ensure “effective civil defence” across vulnerable zones. This is India’s first such coordinated drill of this scale since 1971.

Drill Locations In Southern India

Tamil Nadu:

In Tamil Nadu, the civil defence rehearsal will be held at two high-security installations. The first is the Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam, Chengalpattu district, and the second is at the Chennai Port Trust. Both locations will begin the exercise at 4 PM.

"It has been decided to organise Civil Defence exercise and rehearsal in certain vital installations as instructed by the Union Home Ministry... The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Tamil Nadu has been activated and will function from the premises of the State Disaster Management Authority at Ezhilagam," an official release in Chennai said, as reported by PTI.

Karnataka:

Karnataka will see drills in Bengaluru (Urban), Karwar, and Raichur. According to Prashanth Kumar Thakur, Director General of Police and Commandant General of Home Guards, these sites were chosen based on their strategic significance.

"Mock drills will be held at three locations in the state, including Bengaluru city, which is a metropolitan area with numerous defence establishments and is a very sensitive district for Karnataka," Prashanth Kumar Thakur said.

"The second location is Karwar in Uttara Kannada district, home to the Kaiga nuclear power station. The third is Raichur, selected due to the thermal power station there," he added.

Kerala:

Mock drills will be conducted in Cochin (Kochi) and Thiruvananthapuram, key urban centres with both civilian and defence infrastructure.

Andhra Pradesh:

Visakhapatnam will host the Category 2-level drill, with two specific zones identified — the Old Town near the post office at Kotha Jalaripeta and Oxygen Towers, as confirmed by District Collector MN Harendhira Prasad.

Telangana & Puducherry:

In Telangana, the exercise will take place in Hyderabad, while Puducherry will also participate in the civil defence operations.

What To Expect During Drill

The simulated exercise is designed to mimic emergency scenarios like air raid sirens and enforced blackouts. Key elements include: A long siren will indicate a warning, while a short siren will signal the end of the drill. All lights in homes, offices, and public spaces must be turned off. Emergency lights must be concealed to avoid detection.

Schools, community halls, and homes should be equipped with first aid kits, torches, glow sticks, radios, water, dry food, and essential medicines. Households are encouraged to conduct internal drills, moving to secure areas of the home at 4 PM when the siren sounds.

Local volunteers will assist elderly or differently-abled residents during the exercise. 

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