Madhya Pradesh to simulate wartime emergency in mega civil defence drill across 5 key districts on May 7

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh govt will conduct a major civil defence drill on May 7 at 4pm across five key districts—Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, and Katni—as part of a nationwide preparedness exercise initiated by the

Ministry of Home Affairs

(MHA).The drill is part of a larger initiative involving 244 districts across India, simulating wartime scenarios such as blackouts, air raid sirens, evacuation drills, and emergency responses. At the core of this effort are the Civil Defence districts—designated areas with trained personnel responsible for coordinating emergency procedures and

public safety operations

.

During the simulation, residents in the participating cities may experience mock air raid sirens, scheduled blackouts, and public evacuation rehearsals. Emergency response teams will also practice rescue and relief protocols in real time.

“The aim is to ensure that both citizens and authorities are better prepared to respond calmly and effectively in high-stress situations,” said a senior civil defence official in Bhopal. Authorities have urged the public not to panic and to cooperate with the drill, which is designed to improve awareness, reduce confusion, and ultimately save lives in the event of a real emergency.