Hyderabad will take part in a major emergency readiness drill called “Operation Abhyaas” on May 7. This event is part of a nationwide effort to test how well cities can respond to potential attacks or disasters.
The mock drill will happen from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM. During this time, sirens will sound throughout areas inside the Outer Ring Road (ORR). The goal is to help people and agencies practice how to act quickly and safely during a real emergency.
Four key areas in Telangana will host the exercise: Secunderabad, Golkonda Cantonment, Kanchan Bagh, and Nacharam. These locations were chosen to represent different parts of the city and test a wide range of responses.
Several important organizations will work together during the drill. These include the Telangana Civil Defence, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the District Magistrate’s office. The operation will be supervised by Sri Nagi Reddy, the Director General of Fire Services and Director of Civil Defence in Telangana.
This large-scale drill comes after rising concerns over national security. A recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people, highlighting the urgent need for better emergency planning. The drill will help cities prepare for threats like air raids and test systems like air raid sirens, evacuation procedures, and infrastructure safety.
People across Hyderabad, including students, will take part in the exercise. They will practice first aid, learn how to use fire-fighting tools, and follow evacuation drills. The drill will also include blackout simulations, where participants turn off all lights to mimic an airstrike scenario. Emergency teams and control rooms will be tested on how well they manage communication and operations during a crisis.
This is the first time since 1971 that India is holding such a large national civil defence drill. It marks an important step in boosting the country’s ability to respond to modern threats. The plan is to carry out similar drills in 244 high-risk districts across the country, with help from civil defence volunteers, home guards, NCC, NSS, and other local groups.
Hyderabad’s participation in Operation Abhyaas shows the city’s commitment to keeping its people safe and prepared for any emergency.
