Operation Abhyaas: Mock drills conducted across Hyderabad to test civil defence preparedness
Hyderabad: As part of Operation Abhyaas, Civil Defence mock drills were conducted across multiple locations in Hyderabad on Tuesday, including Nacharam, Kanchanbagh, Golconda, and Secunderabad. The large-scale exercise aimed to test emergency preparedness and response capabilities in the event of hostile attacks.
Air raid sirens were sounded at Avalon Apartments in the Golconda area as part of the drill. A similar exercise was carried out at Kacheguda Railway Station. Residents were advised not to panic, as the sirens and emergency response actions were part of a planned simulation.
Teams from the Fire Department, National Cadet Corps (NCC), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and medical services took part in the coordinated operations.
The Rachakonda Police also conducted air siren drill across various locations within their jurisdiction. The department thanked citizens for their cooperation during the exercise.
Operation Abhyaas was conducted under the provisions of the Civil Defence Act, 1968, as part of a nationwide civil preparedness initiative led by the Government of India. Hyderabad was one of 245 vulnerable districts selected to participate in the exercise.
The drill commenced at 4:00 PM, with air raid sirens sounding citywide for two minutes. Residents were instructed to seek shelter in sturdy buildings, stay tuned to official communication channels, and avoid spreading or believing in rumors. Those outdoors were advised to lie flat in low-lying areas and cover their heads for protection.
By 4:15 PM, the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) issued alerts simulating air raid impacts at four locations in the city. Civil Defence services responded by 4:20 PM. Police secured the affected areas, managed crowds, and assisted in evacuating the injured. Fire and rescue teams initiated operations, while Civil Defence volunteers reported damages and missing persons. Medical teams carried out triage and provided first aid.
Blackout measures were implemented to simulate air raid conditions. Street and building lights were switched off, windows were covered, and vehicle headlights were dimmed. Key infrastructure was camouflaged. The drill concluded at 4:30 PM with a final siren.
Preparations for the exercise began at 10:30 AM, with coordinated efforts from the police, fire services, municipal authorities, and disaster response teams. Director of Civil Defence Nagi Reddy oversaw the operation, supported by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other agencies.
