'Operation Abhyas': 10,000 Volunteers Join Civil Defence Mock Drills Across Maharashtra Amid Security Preparedness Push

Following the directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs to conduct civil defence drills aimed at preparedness to emergency situations and potential attacks, mock drills were conducted at total eight locations in Maharashtra. Under the 'Operation Abhyas', cities where the mock drills were held included Mumbai, Kalyan, Pune, Nashik, Uran, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Tarapur in Palghar. 

While, Anushakti Nagar in Mumbai and Automic Research centre in Tarapur, Palghar district witnessed power blackout at 8 pm on Wednesday as part of the drill. 

In Mumbai, following a siren at 4 pm, a major mock drill was carried at cross maidan in south Mumbai. The civil defence volunteers cordoned off the area and fire brigade reached the spot to extinguish the blaze and a high-rise rescue operation, while paramedics transported the injured to the hospitals. As per the Civil Defence Director Prabhat Kumar, the response time was three minutes and the drill was more like a real life situation as unexpectedly rainfall with thunderstorms hit the area the same time. However, the authorities are analysing the short-comings and de-briefing will be done.

"Across eight locations in the state, total 10,000 civil defence volunteers participated. In Mumbai, the mock drill was held in coordination with BMC disaster management, NDRF, Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, NCC, NSS and others. While, two hospitals also were part of the drill- Bombay Hospital and civic-run Nair hospital," Kumar said speaking with the media on Wednesday evening. The authorities also operated HAM radios.

Kumar added that the mock drills are carried to prepare the civilians in war and war-like situations. "If there is a siren or blackout, citizens should not panic. They should be aware how to respond. Apart from defence forces, civilian's participation is equally important."

The locations in the state where mock drills were held by civil defence were: Cross Maidan in south Mumbai, Nutan high school in Kalyan, Gangapur Road in Nashik, Council Hall in Pune, panchayat office in Uran, tehsil office in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, and Tarapur in Palghar.

Amidst the backdrop of escalation tensions between India and Pakistan, as part of nationwide preparedness, more mock drills are likely to be held in the coming days.