Air Raid Warnings, Blackout Drills, and Evacuations Simulated Across East Delhi in Mock Exercise

New Delhi: Air raid warnings, emergency alerts, blackout drills across key areas and evacuation to bunkers with casualty simulations were the primary scenarios in a largescale mock drill done across 17 locations in east Delhi.

The exercise was designed to test emergency preparedness and inter-agency coordination in the event of a simulated attack.

Multiple agencies participated, including the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Civil Defence, NDRF, home guards, Delhi Police, fire services and ambulance teams.

Officials said the exercise began at 8 pm on Thursday with the activation of a simulated air raid warning system that was coordinated with the Indian Air Force, followed by the sounding of manual air raid sirens and the implementation of crash blackout measures. In one of the scenarios at a hospital in Malviya Nagar, an airstrike simulation was conducted.

As the sirens blared, people scattered in all directions seeking shelter, while a second siren signalled the start of rescue operations. NDRF and Civil Defence teams moved swiftly into nearby shops and premises to evacuate the injured and recover simulated casualties, transporting them to ambulances for treatment.

The blackout drills involved the rapid shutdown of electrical and lighting systems to make key areas less visible to potential threats, testing the operational readiness of authorities to respond under low-visibility conditions.

The exercise aimed to strengthen the city’s emergency response system, assess the effectiveness of air raid warning systems and communication networks, and evaluate the implementation of blackout procedures across critical locations. It also tested inter-agency coordination, response times, and overall preparedness for evacuation and casualty management. “Such large-scale exercises are crucial for ensuring coordinated action during crises and for enhancing the city’s resilience in the face of emergencies,” an official said.

The drill also focused on creating awareness among citizens about safety protocols during hostile situations, ensuring that both authorities and the public are better equipped to respond efficiently in emergencies.

The drill over two days covered govt installations and public locations, including Chandni Chowk, various hospitals, educational institutions and residential complexes.