Air Raid Sirens to be Tested in Central Delhi on Friday, Residents Advised Not to Panic.

Air raid sirens will be tested in central Delhi on Friday at 3 p.m. for a 15-20 minute period. The Directorate of Civil Defence has urged people not to panic during the exercise, which aims to test the air raid sirens installed at the PWD HQ in ITO.

The Delhi government will conduct a test of air raid sirens in central Delhi on Friday, May 9, at 3 p.m. for a duration of 15 to 20 minutes. The exercise is part of the nationwide civil defence drills scheduled for May 7, ordered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to assess the readiness of the country against potential emergencies [1].

The test will focus on the air raid sirens installed at the Public Works Department (PWD) headquarters in Indraprastha Timing (ITO). The Directorate of Civil Defence has urged residents not to panic during the exercise, emphasizing that it is a routine safety measure [3].

The nationwide civil defence drills, the first of their kind since the 1971 India-Pakistan war, aim to evaluate various components of civil defence, including the functionality of air raid warning systems, communication links, and civilian preparedness [2]. The drills will simulate air raids, evacuation efforts, and shelter-in-place procedures, involving civil defence forces, police, and local administration across 259 locations [1].

Delhi and Lucknow have already conducted full-scale mock exercises on May 6, with activities including air raid simulations, evacuation rehearsals, and civilian awareness drives. The drills are a response to recent border tensions and the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam region, which left 26 people dead [1].

The upcoming drills aim to enhance awareness, strengthen public safety responses, and signal readiness amid escalating regional tensions. The Ministry of External Affairs has asked all 33 states and union territories to conduct the drills across 259 locations [1].

References:
[1] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/delhi-and-lucknow-conduct-emergency-drills-ahead-of-nationwide-civil-defence-mock-drill-exercise-on-may-7/articleshow/120933592.cms
[2] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/union-home-secretary-reviews-nationwide-civil-defence-drill-preparations-amid-india-pakistan-tensions/articleshow/120923736.cms
[3] https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/delhi-gears-up-for-civil-defence-drill-issues-dos-and-don-ts-125050601667_1.html