What Will Happen In The May 7 Security Drill? What Should You Do? Explained
Authorities have clarified that the pan-India drill was not meant to cause panic but to help India revisit the civil defence SoP for any eventuality
The Home Ministry has ordered that mock security drills be conducted in 244 districts across the country on May 7 amid heightened tensions with Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 in which 26 civilians—mostly tourists—were killed.
According to the directive of the Home Ministry, the drill will focus on several key activities aimed at enhancing civil defence readiness across urban and rural areas. Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat are among the states and UTs where the security drill will take place.
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In a statement, the Home Ministry said the drills will teach how to respond to air raid sirens and blackout situations, though authorities clarified that the pan-India drill was not meant to cause panic but to help India revisit the civil defence SoP for any eventuality.
A senior official who is in charge of civil defence told CNN-News18 that it is a requirement under the Geneva Convention to protect civilians in times of war. “So, we must empower them, train them to protect themselves. The last such training was in 1999 and before that in 1971. Most young people of this generation are unaware of such a situation. Hence the necessity of the drill," the official added.
WHAT WILL THE DRILL INCLUDE?
One of the key components of the drill would be to conduct checks on the air raid warning system. In some forward areas, civilians will take cover in a protected area, while those in Kashmir’s Uri have already started preparing the community bunkers.
Blackouts will also be practised during the May 7 mock drills. “If a blackout siren is sounded, the standard operating procedure must be followed. The drill will assess whether the sirens are working and how effectively people respond. All stakeholders should be well-versed with the SOP," officials explained to CNN-News18.
The final aspect of the drill will be to familiarise civilians, students, hospital staff with civil defence volunteers so that their instructions are followed in times of emergency. Evacuation plans will be discussed with authorities in such institutions when the mock drill happens.
WHAT DO PEOPLE GLOBALLY DO IN CASE OF WAR?
As per advisories issued by other countries, one must provision for basic supplies for survival in case a war breaks out. These include water, ideally for at least 3-7 days; non-perishable food like canned goods, nuts, and ready-to-eat meals; a first-aid kit that includes basic medical supplies such as bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, tweezers, a thermometer, and any personal medications; sanitation supplies like toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, garbage bags; flashlight, preferably battery-powered or solar, along with extra batteries; multi-tool or Swiss army knife; clothing; blankets or sleeping bags; chargers and power banks; and a whistle or signal device.
Apart from this, one must have at hand important documents such as passport, national ID, or any other form of government-issued identification; personal and family records like birth certificates, insurance policies, medical records, and any other essential paperwork (stored in waterproof bags); local and regional maps of evacuation routes, shelters, and safe zones; cash in small bills, as digital payment systems or ATMs might be down; and an emergency contact list.
Personal hygiene products such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, sanitary pads/tampons, razors, and other daily hygiene items; face masks; hand sanitizers; prescription medications; tarp or plastic sheeting; duct tape and rope; gas mask or N95 mask; rain poncho or waterproof clothing; and locks for doors or windows should be a part of your go-to kit.
Authorities also stress on conserving resources like water and electricity, following authentic sources of information, not panicking and obeying local laws and curfews as far as possible.
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