Hyderabad witnessed rare and intense emergency mock drills on Wednesday, as loud sirens echoed across the city and emergency teams sprung into action. This large-scale exercise, named ‘Operation Abhyaas’, was the first of its kind in over 50 years.
At exactly 4 PM, warning sirens blared across major parts of the city. Police vehicles joined in with their sirens at intersections, signaling the start of the nationwide civil defence simulation. The drills lasted until 4:30 PM, simulating scenarios like air raids, multiple fires, and rescue operations. These were organized under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
The main drills took place at four key locations: Secunderabad Cantonment, Golconda, Nacharam NFC, and Kanchanbagh near DRDO. Additional simulations were held at spots like the Telangana State Secretariat, Mehdipatnam, Mallapur, and the busy Cyber Towers junction.
Before the drill began, around 3:45 PM, authorities alerted residents through announcements, asking them to stay calm and follow safety instructions. Once the sirens began, people were guided to take shelter, stay low, and keep their heads protected — just as they would in a real crisis.
By 4:15 PM, simulated alerts from the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) reported air raid impacts in four zones. Within minutes, civil defence teams began rescue and relief operations. Police secured the zones, controlled crowds, and helped evacuate the injured while firefighters and medical teams provided emergency aid.
One of the most active scenes was near West Marredpally in Secunderabad Cantonment, where the Disaster Response Force, ambulances, traffic police, and fire engines rushed in. Teams in protective suits rescued residents from the five-storey Millennium Residency and guided them safely to the NCC Grounds, which served as a temporary shelter.
An emergency medical camp was quickly set up there. It had stretchers, beds, first aid, and ambulances ready to transport severely injured people to a nearby multispeciality hospital, just 100 meters away.
Similar drills unfolded at Nacharam, where a residential complex of 370 flats was part of the operation. Emergency teams practiced their response protocols efficiently. At Kanchanbagh, residents of the BPS Twin Towers in Champapet evacuated after the alarm and assisted in simulated hospital transfers. In Golconda's Avalon Apartments, people were evacuated, treated on-site, and taken to nearby hospitals.
At 4:30 PM, another round of sirens signaled the end of the drill. Public officials and senior police officers observed the entire operation from the ICCC to assess the coordination and response.
In total, twelve civil agencies took part in Hyderabad’s drill. These included the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Disaster Management Authority, Fire Services, Police, Traffic Police, Medical and Health Department, Railway and Revenue Officials, GHMC, NCC, Scouts, and Guides.
After the drill, Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand emphasized the importance of such exercises. He said they play a key role in building public awareness and improving the city’s disaster preparedness.
