On the evening of May 7, 2025, a civil defence mock drill across Mohali revealed serious deficiencies in the city’s emergency response systems, as public sirens failed to sound in multiple areas, leaving many residents unaware of the exercise taking place. This drill was part of a larger initiative by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) aimed at simulating a city-wide blackout and emergency scenario to assess urban preparedness amidst increasing climate risks and security threats.
“We are conducting these mock drills to strengthen our preparedness and ensure citizen safety,” stated Sanjeev Kalra, IPS, Director General of Home Guards and Civil Defence. He added that the local administration is actively investigating the malfunctioning sirens, which are installed in various locations across Mohali, including Sectors 70, 71, 77, Phase 3B2, and parts of Kharar and Sunny Enclave. However, during the drill, these systems reportedly failed in key areas.
The effectiveness of the blackout simulation was further undermined as many households continued to have power due to inverters. Kalra emphasized the role of citizens in these drills, noting, “We observed that many homes kept their lights on despite advisories. We’re trying our best to improve this process, and drills will continue—possibly on a near-daily basis.”
Deputy Superintendent of Police Karan Sandhu, who oversaw the drill on the ground, mentioned that traffic movement remained smooth and coordinated with local establishments. The mock drills commenced around 4 p.m. near VR Punjab Mall in Kharar, Bestech Square Mall in Sector 66, Mohali, and Elante Mall in Chandigarh, where both the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and District Commissioner (DC) were present.
However, many residents reported being unaware of the drill. Pooja, 32, a resident of Sector 125, said, “I didn’t hear any sirens at all. Most homes in my lane still had their lights on. It didn’t feel like anything was happening.” Gildeep, from Sunny Enclave, echoed this sentiment: “Power was cut, but inverters came on almost instantly. We turned off all our lights, but many neighbors didn’t. There were no sirens, no alerts—nothing that made it feel serious.”
Raman, a homemaker in Kharar, described the scene outside as resembling a normal evening, stating, “I saw cars with high beams. It didn’t look or feel like a blackout.” Another resident, Kranti, a student, remarked, “Honestly, nobody in our area took the mock drill seriously.”
Officials have promised that future drills will be better coordinated and have urged residents to stay alert, follow advisories, and report any lapses. The need for effective communication and public awareness was underscored by the mixed responses from the community.
In a broader context, the situation escalated on May 8, 2025, when a blackout was enforced in several districts, including Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. This blackout was a response to rising tensions between India and Pakistan, following missile strikes by Indian forces on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
As part of emergency measures, air raid warning sirens were activated in Pathankot, where locals reported hearing explosion-like sounds. Authorities urged residents to keep their lights switched off and stay indoors, emphasizing that there was no need to panic. The deputy commissioners of six border districts had previously ordered a complete ban on fireworks in their jurisdictions.
In Rajasthan, border districts sounded a red alert with enforced blackouts in several cities, including Sriganganagar and Jodhpur. The police in Sriganganagar advised citizens to remain indoors and turn off all lights, while similar instructions were echoed by local officials in other affected areas.
In Chandigarh, the District Collector released a statement urging residents to follow safety advice closely. “All residents are asked to respond promptly to the siren's sound and turn off all lights in consideration of the current emergency situation,” the statement read. Local police and emergency services remain on high alert, and civil defence teams have been deployed to assist in maintaining public safety.
As the situation continues to evolve, residents are being urged to stay informed through official communication channels and avoid spreading unverified information or panic on social media. The recent developments have heightened the need for effective emergency preparedness and community cooperation in the face of potential threats.
In light of these events, the health department in Chandigarh has instructed all medical officers and staff to remain prepared for emergency duty around the clock. Leaves for medical personnel at key hospitals have been cancelled, and they have been directed to be available for immediate duty when called.
The mock drills and subsequent emergency measures underscore the importance of readiness in the face of both natural disasters and security threats. As tensions rise, the community's response and cooperation will be crucial in navigating these challenges.
