Punjab air raid and blackout mock drill on April 24: 8 pm siren, power shutdown across state | Check details

Punjab air raid and blackout mock drill: The Punjab Government will conduct a statewide Civil Defence mock drill involving ‘air raid’ warning and ‘blackout’ measures on April 24, at 8 pm, in line with directives issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The exercise aims to assess the preparedness of the Civil Defence mechanism and the district administration in handling emergency situations, including scenarios resembling an aerial attack.

A preparatory meeting in Ferozepur was held under the leadership of Chief Warden Parminder Singh Thind and Home Guards Store Superintendent Parminder Singh Bath at the local Civil Defence office. Wardens, sector wardens and volunteers participated and duties were assigned for the smooth execution of the drill.

District Commandant Home Guards Gurlavdeep Singh Grewal said the drill would commence with an ‘air raid warning’ siren, which would sound for two minutes in a high-low pitch pattern. Immediately after the siren, a complete blackout will be enforced in selected areas identified by the respective Deputy Commissioners.

Residents in these areas have been advised to switch off all non-essential lights during the blackout period. However, essential services such as hospitals and fire brigade operations will remain functional.

At the conclusion of the exercise, an ‘all clear’ signal will be issued through a continuous high-pitch siren lasting two minutes.

Apart from the blackout, the mock drill will also include simulated rescue and relief operations to test coordinated emergency response systems.

Authorities have clarified that the exercise is a routine preparedness measure, urging citizens not to panic and to cooperate fully with the administration. Deputy Commissioners-cum-Controllers across districts have appealed to the public to support the initiative to strengthen the state’s emergency response framework.