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Patna: A 10-minute mock drill involving a full power shutdown and halting of vehicle movement will be conducted in several cities across Bihar on Wednesday, as part of a nationwide civil defence exercise prompted by recent escalations between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack.
The drill, ordered by the Union Home Ministry, will be carried out in Patna, Purnia, Katihar, Begusarai and Barauni. In the state capital, Patna district administration has issued a detailed plan. Sirens will sound at 6:58pm at around 80 strategic locations, including major intersections and key government institutions, followed by a citywide power outage from 7pm to 7:10pm.
Vehicles will be required to halt during this time, and sirens from police, fire brigade, and district administration vehicles will accompany the alert. The drill is meant to simulate a response to an air raid or similar emergency.
Patna district magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh said the public has been advised not to use mobile phones or activate inverters during the drill. “This is part of a national exercise to improve preparedness for emergency scenarios such as aerial attacks,” he said.
The sirens will also be activated at key locations such as the Reserve Bank of India office, Patna University, and Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). Emergency services including fire brigades and ambulances will take to the roads post-drill to demonstrate response protocols.
The Bihar government has coordinated with civil defence forces, the Home Guard, the National Cadet Corps (NCC), and students from schools and colleges. The emphasis will be on rescue preparedness and public awareness of air attack procedures.
