Civil defence mock drill ‘Operation Abhyaas’ Set for May 7 in Hyderabad

Hyderabad is gearing up for a major civil defence preparedness exercise as part of the nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drill scheduled for May 7. The city’s drill, codenamed ‘Operation Abhyaas’, will be conducted between 4:00 PM and 4:30 PM at four key locations — Secunderabad Cantonment, Golconda Cantonment, Kanchan Bagh, and Nacharam, all within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) limits.

This mock drill is part of a broader nationwide initiative led by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), covering 244 districts across India identified as vulnerable.

What to Expect:

Simulation: An Incoming Air Raid will be simulated starting at 4:00 PM.

Citywide Alert: Sirens will be activated across Hyderabad by the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), including industrial sirens, police announcements, fire sirens, and patrol vehicles.

Participating Agencies: Over 12 civil defence departments, including Police, Fire Services, Medical teams, SDRF, DRF, Revenue, and GHMC, will take part.

Public Advisory:

Residents are advised to:

Seek immediate shelter away from open areas.

Stay informed via TV, radio, or government apps.

Avoid spreading rumors or trusting unverified information.

Switch off utilities like gas and electrical appliances.

Remain indoors or in shelter until the official all-clear signal is given.

If caught outside, citizens should lie flat in a low-lying area and protect their heads.

Drill Timeline:

4:15 PM: ICCC will alert civil defence teams of simulated air raid impacts in four zones.

4:20 PM onwards:

Police will cordon off areas and manage public safety.

Fire and Rescue Teams will begin search and rescue operations.

SDRF/DRF will clear debris to facilitate emergency response.

Medical teams will provide triage, first aid, and set up temporary hospitals.

Transport services will help evacuate affected civilians.

GHMC, Revenue & Civil Supplies will provide basic relief at shelters.

Blackout Measures:

Lights, billboards, and illuminated signage will be turned off.

Windows may be covered to block light leakage.

Vehicle headlights will be dimmed or restricted.

Key infrastructure will be camouflaged for the simulation.

Conclusion:

The mock drill will conclude at 4:30 PM, with sirens marking the end of the exercise. Authorities urge citizens to cooperate fully, stay calm, and follow official instructions throughout the drill.

Hyderabad joins the national civil defence effort through this high-level exercise, aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness and response mechanisms.