Operation Abhyaas: Nationwide Mock Drill on May 7 – Timings for Blackouts and Sirens Across India

Operation Abhyaas: A large-scale mock drill called a "mock drill" will be conducted on Wednesday, May 7, as part of an exercise to test resources in the event of armed conflict across 244 locations.

The drill, called Operation Abhyas, has been initiated due to rising political tensions and growing threats, particularly following the Pahalgam attack of July 3, 2023.

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The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) requested the test to assess readiness for an India-Pakistan war.

The mock drill will include air raids, blackouts, evacuations and searches and rescues across 244 Civil Defence Districts. The purpose of the drill to ready civilians and officials for war situations and/or external attacks.

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What are the timings of mock drill?

For anyone wondering about mock drill timing today, major drill events will begin at 4 PM on 7th May 2025 across the country including planned variations depending on the local administration.

• Delhi: The mock drill will occur between 4 PM until 7 PM. Jhansi, (Uttar Pradesh): Instructed to execute their mock drill from 4 PM for duration until finished at Reserve Police Lines, according to SSP B Murthy.
• Bareilly, (Uttar Pradesh): All residents will black-out between 8 PM and 8:10 PM. DM Avinash Singh has instructed residents to turn off lights, inverters and refrain from using phones or flashlight.
• Kerala: Mock drills in 14 districts will take place at 4 PM, sources said. Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh): The air raid simulation at Kotha Jalaripeta will take place at 4 PM. A blackout in Kotha Jalaripeta and Oxygen Towers will take place at 7 PM.
• Dehradun (Uttarakhand): Sirens and hooters will sound at five locations, including Dhara Police Chowki and District Magistrate Complex, at 4 PM.
• Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu): Drill at Madras Atomic Power Station and Chennai Port Trust will take place from 4 PM to 4:30 PM.

The drills aim to increase public awareness and bolster India's civil defence capacity by preparing for war-like situations, and MHA explained that it is also an Integrated Response System (IRS) effort to safeguard citizens during emergencies such as an aerial attack.

The sirens, black outs, and evacuation drills are being implemented at all levels-from major metros to hamlets and villages-to and national preparedness.

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