Traffic Restrictions in Select Hyderabad Zones for Mock Air-Raid Drill at 4 PM; Emergency Services Unaffected

The flow of traffic is restricted except for emergency services. Hyderabad will be brought to a temporary stop at certain intersections during Wednesday (May 7 2025) at night (4 from 4.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.) to conduct the duration of a massive civil defence mock drill Hyderabad that simulates an aerial strike.

Will traffic be stopped for mock drill in Hyderabad?

"Traffic circulation will be limited to the zones identified for a brief period in the event of a siren ambulance and other emergency services receiving a green signal. The emergency response vehicle will also be used as part of the exercise. The temporary power blackouts along with air-raid sirens as well as announcements through loudspeakers will be simulated in the real-time emergency situations," said by an official from the Hyderabad traffic police.

Code dubbed 'Operation Sindoor' The exercise will take place from 4 p.m. between 4.30 p.m. in four strategically placed locations at Secunderabad Cantonment, Golconda Cantonment, Kanchan Bagh and Nacharam within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) boundaries. The exercise, to be coordinated with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services will require coordination between the State's police and armed forces, the health teams, fire department as well as civic agencies.

The exercise will be conducted amid heightened security risks in the wake of India's retaliatory strikes on the 7th of May. In reaction to the 22nd of April Pahalgam attack that took place in Pahalgam in which a number of Indian soldiers perished, Indian armed forces executed precise strikes in 'Operation Sindoor that targeted nine terror-related locations in Pakistan and the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Though previous warnings have been issued, authorities have warned residents not to be in a panic. Residents in affected areas are required to follow the instructions by the teams of drills and fully cooperate.