MP NEWS : Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Shri J.N. Kansotiya, stated that civil defence and disaster management are critical national responsibilities. Accordingly, the Civil Defence Act of 1968 and related regulations include provisions to ensure the safety of citizens. The responsibility for civil defence lies with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, which regularly issues necessary directives to the states, asking them to formulate civil defence plans, review them periodically, and make amendments when required.
These civil defence plans are designed to safeguard citizens, vital industries, and essential services, including chemical, nuclear, and other industrial facilities, hydroelectric projects, and other civil institutions. The plans outline coordinated responses by government departments such as the police, armed forces, railways, health services, and airports in the event of disasters or emergencies.
The preparation, review, amendment, and regular practice of these civil defence plans are standard procedures carried out from time to time. The objective is to ensure public safety, maintain order, spread awareness among citizens, provide training, and keep all emergency preparedness measures up to date.
The Government of India has directed that a civil defence mock drill be conducted on Wednesday, 7 May, between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM in five districts of Madhya Pradesh: Gwalior, Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and Katni. The mock drill will simulate the scenario of an aerial attack, testing the response mechanisms.
During the exercise, a simulated threat alert of an aerial attack will be issued in the identified districts. Citizens will be informed of the mock threat through sirens, enabling them and relevant institutions to practice blackout procedures. The blackout is scheduled for 7:40 PM on the day of the drill. In addition to the blackout, there will be practice drills involving search and rescue operations, evacuation of people from designated buildings, setup of temporary hospitals, and relocation of citizens from hazardous zones to safer areas.
Information about the drill will be relayed to the State Control Room and further communicated to the Central Control Room of the Government of India. The drill is being organised by the district administration with support from the Ministry of Defence, Railways, Civil Aviation Department, and other concerned departments.
The State Government has appealed to the public not to be alarmed by the exercise. Citizens are encouraged to participate and cooperate during the drill. Upon hearing the siren, they should practice moving themselves and their families to safe areas. The warning siren for an aerial attack will sound with a fluctuating tone for two minutes, and an all-clear signal will also be given by a two-minute continuous siren once the simulated threat is over.
During the blackout, residents are expected to turn off lights and draw curtains at their homes and workplaces, and switch the lights back on only when the all-clear siren is sounded. People are advised not to gather in crowds, avoid spreading rumours, assist in keeping emergency services like traffic, police, and ambulances running smoothly, and follow administrative instructions to ensure the success of the drill.