Patna, 5 Other Bihar Districts Gear Up For Blackouts, Wailing Sirens As Centre Orders Mock Drill; Check Details

On the instructions of the Union Home Ministry, a mock drill involving air raids and blackouts will be conducted in six districts of the state, including Patna, in the third week of May. Sirens will sound simultaneously at the designated date and time.

At the state level, the Directorate of Civil Defence has been designated the nodal agency for the successful conduct of the mock drill.

On Thursday, a meeting was held in the Disaster Management Department auditorium with the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police from the respective districts to prepare for the mock drill.

The meeting was chaired by Dr Chandrashekhar Singh, Secretary of the Disaster Management Department.

Biannual drills

In the meeting, held via video conferencing, Singh stated that mock drills are to be conducted at least twice a year as per the central government's directive regarding civil security to check preparedness for events such as air raids and attacks.

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In the previous exercise, several districts, including Patna, had performed exceptionally well.

Instructions to ensure siren availability

Singh said that he had given instructions to ensure the availability of sirens in the respective districts. He directed the DMs of each district to coordinate with the electricity department in a timely manner and seek cooperation in ensuring the success of the blackout.

Sound systems installed at intersections, police stations, and fire brigade vehicles can also be used for sirens. Officials will ensure that cubicle curtains or privacy curtains are installed on hospital windows during the mock drill. Adequate publicity will be done to ensure that the public does not panic during the mock drill.

Coordination with schools, colleges, chemists

At the meeting, Dr Paresh Saxena, Director General-cum-Commissioner of Civil Security, stated that Begusarai district had performed exceptionally well in the previous exercise and the officials must prepare for the next exercise accordingly.

He called for involving people from schools, colleges, chemists, as well as social sectors for the success of the exercise.

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He outlined all six points set for the mock drill in detail and explained its objectives. The Inspector General of Police, Civil Security Directorate, along with the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police from all six districts were present on the occasion.