UP intensifies mega security drill across all 75 districts

Uttar Pradesh has planned a major statewide mock drill to ensure the readiness of all districts for potential emergency situations. The drill, which will take place in all 75 districts, aims to strengthen civil defense and improve the public’s response to various crises, including natural disasters and wartime threats. This exercise will cover fire safety, evacuation procedures, medical emergency responses, and even simulate air raids. The mock drill is scheduled for Wednesday, with a rehearsal taking place in Lucknow on Tuesday.

Objective of the Mock Drill

The initiative comes in the wake of the recent rise in tensions with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack, prompting the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to advise all states to conduct similar exercises. The focus is on preparing civilians for “new and complex threats” through practical training. This includes teaching citizens, students, and local communities how to protect themselves in case of an aerial attack or other hostile actions.

Director General of Police Prashant Kumar shared that the mock drill was originally planned for 19 districts, including major cities like Lucknow, Agra, and Varanasi. However, after receiving new directives, the drill will now be extended to all 75 districts in Uttar Pradesh. The initiative aims to evaluate the readiness of control rooms, air raid warning systems, and other critical infrastructures while ensuring better coordination between various emergency response agencies.

The exercise will involve multiple government agencies, including the civil and police administration, fire services, and disaster response teams. It will also include simulations of air raids and other wartime scenarios. One of the key elements of the drill is testing the operational effectiveness of air raid sirens and ensuring that they function as expected.

Furthermore, authorities will simulate a blackout scenario across the state, teaching people how to remain calm during power outages and other disruptions. The drill will also include training on how to evacuate citizens from danger zones and provide first aid to those injured in the hypothetical crisis.

The civil defense teams, which have offices in 15 districts, will play a crucial role in coordinating the mock drills across the state. These teams are expected to ensure that residents fully participate in the drill, learning civil defense techniques that could be lifesaving in the event of a real emergency.

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Focus on public awareness

The aim of the mock drill is not only to train emergency responders but also to educate the public on what to do during different types of emergencies. This includes practical exercises on how to handle missile strikes, air attacks, and other similar threats. For example, the drill will teach people how to safely seek shelter during an air raid and how to evacuate quickly in case of a fire or other disaster.

The exercise will also provide valuable insights into how quickly emergency services can respond to crises, as well as the time it takes to treat and transport the injured to hospitals. This will help identify any gaps in the existing infrastructure and improve the overall efficiency of emergency response systems.

This mock drill marks the first large-scale civil defense exercise in Uttar Pradesh since the 1971 Indo-Pak War, more than five decades ago. The exercise is part of a broader effort to enhance the state’s preparedness for future national security challenges. By involving citizens in the process, the government hopes to build resilience within the community and equip them with the knowledge necessary to survive and respond in times of crisis.

In preparation for the drill, approximately 200 civil defense volunteers participated in a rehearsal at the Reserve Police Lines in Lucknow on Tuesday. The participants demonstrated how to respond to sirens, evacuate areas safely, and take protective measures to prevent panic during emergencies. The volunteers also practiced methods to ensure that injured individuals are promptly and safely transported to medical facilities.

The civil defense department has been working closely with local authorities to ensure that the mock drill is successful. Amarnath Mishra, the Chief Warden of Civil Defense in Lucknow, emphasized that the purpose of the drill is to familiarize the public with emergency procedures and to instill confidence in the public response systems. The drill also aimed to prepare the participants for potential missile strikes and other air attacks.

The statewide mock drill in Uttar Pradesh is a critical step in enhancing the state’s preparedness for various types of emergencies, particularly in the context of national security. By involving citizens and training them in civil defense protocols, the government aims to ensure that the public is well-equipped to handle future crises. As tensions continue to rise globally, initiatives like this one will help build a safer and more resilient society.