Odisha Mock Drill: On May 7, 2025, Odisha participated in a nationwide civil defence mock drill, conducted across 12 strategic locations in the state. This drill was prompted by the growing tensions with Pakistan after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) coordinated the large-scale exercise to test the preparedness of local authorities and enhance the ability of civilians to respond to emergencies. The aim was to ensure better coordination between various agencies and improve the response mechanisms at district headquarters and village panchayats.
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The mock drill covered 244 locations across India. In Odisha, districts such as Angul, Balasore, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, Kendrapara, Koraput, Puri, Sambalpur, and Sundargarh participated. These locations were chosen because of their importance and proximity to sensitive sites.
Odisha Mock Drill
The exercise began at 4:00 PM when air raid sirens went off, signaling the start of blackout protocols in urban areas. Fire tenders covered nine different localities in Bhubaneswar, warning residents with sirens and public announcements. In the coastal areas, transit shelters were set up by OSDMA (Odisha State Disaster Management Authority) as part of the exercise. Emergency shelters were activated in Bhubaneswar, and the city’s fire services coordinated with district administrations for a smooth response.
Rourkela, another key city in Odisha, hosted a special mock drill at the Mini Stadium in Uditnagar, which was open to the public. Over 15,000 NCC cadets and NYKS volunteers trained people in first aid, emergency light management, and communication blackout procedures. Schools also took part by conducting classroom sessions where students learned how to use gas masks.
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“Mock drill was conducted with the participation of different agencies, including police, fire services, NCC, Army, Bharat Scouts and Guides, and trained volunteers. During the exercise, they displayed how to stay safe and respond in case of an air attack and evacuate people stranded in high-rise buildings. All were willing to give us assistance,” said Twin City Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh, reports Odisha TV.
The mock drill in Odisha was part of a nationwide exercise called ‘Operation Abhyas’. This exercise supports India’s counterterrorism efforts, especially after the airstrikes from Operation Sindoor on terrorist camps in Pakistan. Odisha focused on coastal areas to be ready for various threats. The drill also follows the Ministry of Home Affairs’ guidelines for high-risk zones with different levels of preparedness.
