Air raid sirens, mock drills held across Hyderabad

Hyderabad witnessed a city-wide emergency preparedness initiative on Wednesday as air raid sirens wailed and mock drills were carried out across multiple zones.

The initiative, organized by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in collaboration with the Disaster Response Force (DRF), aimed to assess the city’s readiness in the event of aerial threats or natural disasters.

Sirens were activated in over 25 locations, including Secunderabad, Gachibowli, Begumpet, and LB Nagar, startling residents and drawing attention to the simulated alert system.

Mock evacuation drills were held in schools, hospitals, commercial complexes, and public buildings, with officials monitoring response times and coordination.

Traffic was temporarily redirected in certain areas as emergency services conducted coordinated drills simulating fire outbreaks and bomb threats.

Residents were informed in advance through local media and digital alerts, though some areas reported confusion due to lack of awareness.

GHMC officials stated that the drills are part of a broader disaster management plan to instill a culture of preparedness among citizens.

“We want Hyderabad to be ready for any emergency, whether natural or man-made,” said a senior GHMC officer on-site at one of the drills.

The Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department also deployed specialized units to participate in the simulation.

Civil defense volunteers played a crucial role in crowd management and guiding people during evacuation scenarios.

Drone surveillance and real-time communication tools were tested during the exercises to enhance future response efficiency.

Medical emergency teams were placed on standby, and mock injuries were treated as part of the simulation.

Many citizens appreciated the effort, saying it increased their awareness and confidence in local authorities.

However, a few residents criticized the lack of detailed pre-drill communication, which led to panic in isolated pockets.

Officials promised better community outreach for future drills and emphasized the importance of public cooperation in such initiatives.

The drills concluded by afternoon, with authorities declaring them a success and vowing to conduct regular preparedness exercises citywide.