Air raid mock drills, blackout exercises in Shopian, Baramulla today

Srinagar, Apr 23: In a move aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness and civil defence mechanisms, the District Disaster Management Authorities of Shopian and Baramulla have scheduled large-scale air raid mock drills and blackout exercises on Friday.

According to officials, the exercise in Shopian will take place at Government Degree College in two phases.

The first phase – a simulated air raid mock drill – will begin at 2 pm, followed by a blackout exercise from 8 pm to 8:10 pm.

In Baramulla, similar drills will be conducted at Showkat Ali Stadium, with the mock exercise scheduled for 12 noon and the blackout phase also set for 8 pm.

The coordinated drills will see participation from multiple agencies, including police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency Services, Health, and Education departments, among others.

These agencies will work in tandem to simulate real-time emergency scenarios and test response coordination under pressure.

Officials said the exercises will replicate situations such as air raid sirens, emergency evacuations, search and rescue operations, casualty management, and inter-agency coordination in line with established standard operating procedures.

Special emphasis will be placed on communication systems, rapid mobilization of resources, and public safety protocols during crisis situations.

Authorities have reiterated that the drills are purely precautionary and part of routine preparedness measures, urging residents not to panic.

Citizens have been advised to cooperate with officials, adhere to instructions issued during the drills, and switch off lights during the designated blackout period to simulate real conditions.

Movement in and around the drill locations may be temporarily regulated to ensure smooth execution.

Officials also cautioned the public against spreading rumours or misinformation, emphasising the importance of staying informed through official channels.

The initiative reflects a broader effort by district administrations across J&K to enhance disaster readiness and ensure that both authorities and civilians are better equipped to respond effectively in emergency situations.