Mock drill to be conducted today at 4 PM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, a nationwide mock drill will be conducted today at 4 PM in all districts, as per central government instructions. This is part of a national-level preparedness initiative to ensure civilian safety in the event of a war-like situation. District Collectors have been assigned the responsibility for overseeing the drill. Chief Secretary Dr. A. Jayathilak urged the public to cooperate and not to panic. This is the first time such a mock drill is being conducted nationwide since the lead-up to the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

Siren will sound:

• As part of the mock drill, warning sirens will be sounded. Prior to that, relevant instructions will be announced and made available via mobile alerts.
• Departments including police, health, revenue, fire force, and disaster management will participate in the exercise.
• The drill also aims to assess the effectiveness of civil defence systems across states and address any deficiencies. Safe evacuation procedures for civilians will be among the key components.