Shillong, Apr 20: The Centre has directed the Meghalaya government to conduct a statewide civil defence mock exercise, including a two-minute blackout, on April 24 to enhance preparedness for potential air raid scenarios, officials said on Monday.
The exercise, titled “ARMEX-I 2026”, will be conducted across all districts as per directives from the Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards under the Ministry of Home Affairs, they said.
Officials said the drill will involve the Air Force, Army, state police, SDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, Health and Power departments, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), traditional village bodies, and other agencies.
The exercise will be conducted in two stages. Stage I, from 3 pm to 4 pm, will include simulations of search and rescue operations, fire response, evacuation and medical response.
A civil defence siren will be sounded at 3 pm to mark the start of the mock air raid scenario and again at 4 pm to signal the “all clear” and conclusion of the first phase, officials said.
Stage II will take place from 6:59 pm to 7:02 pm, simulating an air raid siren followed by a brief blackout.
The public has been requested to switch off lights, inverters and other sources of illumination during this period. The blackout will last for two minutes and conclude with the sounding of the “all clear” siren at 7:02 pm, marking the end of the exercise.
Authorities have urged citizens and community institutions to participate actively in the drill, being conducted in the interest of national security and to strengthen civilian preparedness during emergencies.
Officials added that such civil defence mock exercises will be conducted twice a year to build awareness and readiness among the public in the event of conflict or war-like situations. (PTI)
