Blackout In Uttar Pradesh: Why Is UP Government Conducting Mock Drill Ahead Of Republic Day?

Uttar Pradesh on Friday carried out large-scale mock drills in all 75 districts to check how prepared the state is for war-like situations and possible air attacks.

The exercise was organised by the Civil Defence Department with support from district administrations and other related departments.

The main aim of the drill was to make people aware of safety measures during emergencies and to test how quickly different agencies can respond. Authorities also checked systems like blackout procedures, emergency communication, and coordination between departments.

Focus on Public Awareness and Safety

During the drill, civilians were informed about what to do in case of an air attack or similar emergency. Sirens were sounded in several areas, and people were asked to follow safety instructions given by officials. The exercise helped authorities understand how well the public responds to such alerts.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was present in Lucknow during the mock drill, where he reviewed the arrangements and observed how the exercise was carried out.

Blackout Drill in Ayodhya

In Ayodhya, the mock drill was held under the supervision of the Civil Defence Department. A temporary blackout was enforced to recreate an air attack situation. Lights were switched off for a short period, and sirens were used to alert residents.

Ayodhya Chief Fire Officer Mahendra Pratap Singh said the blackout was meant to reduce visibility in case of an attack and prepare people for such situations. He added that the drill was conducted with the help of multiple departments working together.

ADM City Yoganand Pandey said the exercise was successful and focused on educating citizens. He said the goal was to ensure that people know how to protect themselves during any emergency.

Drills Held in Other Districts Too

Similar mock drills were also conducted in Agra, where officials tested emergency response systems and observed how well different departments coordinated with each other. Public response and adherence to safety instructions were also closely monitored.
In Ghazipur, the drill was organised to mark Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti. At the Opium Factory, a blackout lasting 10 to 15 minutes was carried out to simulate an airstrike. People present at the site were instructed to stay where they were and strictly follow safety rules.

Officials said such drills are important to ensure that both authorities and citizens are better prepared to handle emergency situations in the future.