Civil defence personnel participating in ‘Operation Abhyaas’ at Ulsoor in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

In response to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directive to conduct drills, various stakeholders on Wednesday conducted the civil defence exercise, Operation Abhyaas, at the Civil Defence Headquarters at Ulsoor here.

Multi-disciplinary teams comprising Civil Defence, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire and Emergency Services, National Disaster Response Force, medical teams, Home Guards, National Cadet Corps (NCC), Central Reserve Police Force, Intelligence Bureau and the Bengaluru city traffic and law and order police took part in the drill which began at 4 p.m.

Among the exercises conducted at the drill were water rescue operations at Ulsoor lake by a civil defence team, high-rise building fire rescue using Fire Services vehicles, water tenders, rope suspension, and stretcher methods.

Besides, building evacuation drills for trapped individuals, coordination between Civil Defence, SDRF, Fire Services, and Home Guards for search and rescue operations were also part of the drill.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara, who witnessed the drill, said a similar situation arose in 1972.

“We can recall the incidents that took place in the country then. We have come across a similar situation now. The recent incident in Kashmir has hurt every Indian. Twenty-six people were attacked indiscriminately. It hurts when innocent people and children are killed,” he said.

He said that due to the prevailing situation between India and Pakistan there is a need to prepare for drill like this.

Blackout drill

Following the drill, a blackout drill was held at 7 p.m. Participants were instructed about the measures to take in case of a blackout. They were instructed to switch off all lights, close curtains, and evacuate within seven minutes.

Personal emergency kits, which include two sets of clothes, torchlight, dry fruits, and emergency phone numbers, was also mentioned as an essential during blackouts.

NCC cadets who had come to observe the drill said it was a helpful experience for them. “We have learnt how we should respond to emergencies, and we will be able to safeguard our families or students when the need arises,” said Prithvik and Vandana, from Surana College, Peenya.

Air sirens activated

Earlier in the day, out of the 35 air-raid sirens, mostly installed at prominent fire stations and police stations in Bengaluru, 32 were activated.

South Central Railway (SCR) conducted a comprehensive civil defence drill at the Raichur Railway Station. A dedicated team of 32 members from the Civil Defence Organisation of the SCR, along with supporting staff from the local railway station, actively participated in the 45-minute exercise, which commenced at 4 p.m.

The drill was designed to assess the readiness of personnel in responding swiftly and effectively to crisis situations.