Latest news with #CivilDefenceActof1968
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Uttarakhand govt mulls deployment of anti-drone systems at Char Dham shrines
In light of the aerial invasions by Pakistani drones during Operation Sindoor earlier this month, the Uttarakhand government is planning to deploy anti-drone systems at all Char Dham shines and important establishments to counter potential aerial threats, people aware of the matter said. The home department has asked the police headquarters to prepare a proposal and forward it to the Union home ministry (MHA). 'During Operation Sindoor, we received communication from the Union ministry of home affairs that we can consider deploying anti-drone systems. We have asked the state police headquarters to prepare a detailed proposal to be sent to the MHA. It is important in view of the Char Dham shrines, and important establishments located in the state, as the state also shares international borders with China and Nepal,' Uttarakhand home secretary Shailesh Bagauli said. Dehradun houses the Indian Military Academy and DRDO's Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE), along with offices of various central government departments. Two years ago, the state government approved the Uttarakhand Drone Promotion and Usage Policy, 2023, to promote drone manufacturing and drone-based services in the state. The Char Dham yatra began on April 30 with the opening of the Yamunotri and Gangotri shrines. The portals of Kedarnath Dham, the most visited by pilgrims among the four shrines, opened on May 2 and Badrinath temple on May 4. Over 1.4 million pilgrims have already visited the Char Dham shrines this year. Meanwhile, the state government has also decided to set up six civil defence units in Champawat, Pithoragarh, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Haridwar districts. Four of them share international borders with either China or Nepal. The state currently has only one civil defence unit, in Dehradun. The Civil Defence Act of 1968 states that any state government can set up the civil defence units at their level, and the Union government must be notified about it, Bagauli said. Last year, 4.8 million pilgrims visited Char Dham shrines, and the Hemkund Sahib shrine since the opening of the portals on May 10. Of those, 1.42 million visited Badrinath, 183,722 visited Hemkund Sahib, 1.65 million visited Kedarnath, 0.81 million visited Gangotri Dham and 0.71 million visited Yamunotri Dham. In 2023, the Char Dham yatra saw a record pilgrim influx of 5.6 million, according to tourism department officials.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Shortly after PM address, Pakistan drones spotted in border areas
NEW DELHI: Pakistani drones breached Indian airspace over border regions of J&K, Rajasthan and Punjab late Monday, triggering blackouts and emergency measures, despite a pause in Indo-Pak military action. Drones were spotted near Samba sector in Jammu division, shortly after PM Narendra Modi praised Indian forces for the success of Operation Sindoor and warned Islamabad over terrorist links. Red streaks and explosions lit the sky, according to residents. Army sources confirmed drone movement, saying: "Being engaged. There is no need to be alarmed." No further intrusions were reported, suggesting air defences neutralised the threat. Suspicious drone-like objects were reported over Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district around 9.30pm. Blackouts were ordered across Chirawa, Surajgarh, Sultana, and Pilani. Collector Ramavatar Meena said the move was precautionary, urging vigilance and public cooperation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tap Into Real-Time Signals Designed to Support Your Trading Decisions News Portal Try Now Undo Drones were also sighted in Barmer and Jaisalmer. While no official red alert was issued, Jaisalmer saw an undeclared blackout with street lighting suspended. Drone activity was concentrated in Jalipa, Munabao Gadra sector, Mohangarh, and Shahgarh. Punjab enforced precautionary blackouts in multiple border districts Monday night. In Jalandhar, a surveillance drone was brought down near Mand village at 9.20pm, according to DC Himanshu Aggarwal. Drone incursions ceased by 10pm, but partial blackouts were ordered in parts of Jalandhar near Suranassi. "As a precautionary measure, lights have been switched off in some areas around Suranassi as there have been reports of drone sightings. We are verifying them. There is nothing to worry, as confirmed by armed forces officers," Aggarwal said. Amritsar re-imposed blackout at 8.45pm after air raid sirens sounded. In Hoshiarpur, DC ordered lights off in Dasuya and Mukerian, and advised voluntary compliance in remaining areas. Amritsar district administration restored the electricity supply at midnight but is still on alert. District authorities across Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Pathankot, Ferozepur, and Fazilka ordered closure of all govt and private schools Tuesday under Civil Defence Act of 1968, aimed at bolstering preparedness for any potential emergency. Teachers were directed to conduct online classes. Earlier announcements to reopen schools in Ferozepur and Fazilka were reversed by evening. However, Gurdaspur officials said schools would operate as scheduled. (Inputs from Jammu, Jhunjhunu, Jaisalmer, Bathinda & Amritsar)
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Blackouts in Amritsar, Hoshiarpur; schools shut in border dists
Bathinda/Amritsar: Precautionary blackouts were enforced in several Punjab border districts on Monday night amid reports of drones spotted in Samba, Jammu, near the border, and in Jalandhar on Monday evening, two days after India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire to stop all military deputy commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal said a surveillance drone was brought down near Mand village of Jalandhar at 9.20pm. No drone activity seen in the district since 10 pm, the DC Amritsar administration re-implemented a blackout at 8.45 pm after sounding air raid sirens, asking the public not to panic. Hoshiarpur deputy commissioner ordered a blackout in Dasuya and Mukerian, urging people to voluntarily switch off their lights in the rest of the areas of the was also switched off in some areas of Jalandhar, officials said."As a precautionary measure, lights have been switched off in some areas around Suranassi as there have been reports of drone sightings. We are verifying them. There is no (total) blackout as of now. There is nothing to worry, as confirmed by armed forces officers. They are on regular vigil as always," said the Jalandhar district administrations across the border belt—including Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Pathankot, Ferozepur, and Fazilka—announced the closure of all government and private schools on Tuesday. The decision comes in light of mock drills being carried out under the Civil Defence Act of 1968, aimed at bolstering preparedness for any potential in the day, the DCs of Ferozepur and Fazilka had announced that schools would reopen on Tuesday, but both later reversed the decision around 7 pm, saying they would remain closed for 48 physical classes remain suspended, teachers have been advised to conduct online lessons from home. The Gurdaspur district administration, however, confirmed that schools in the area would open on night flight returnsEven as seven key airports in northern region among 32 in the country reopened, a Delhi-Amritsar flight returned to the national capital owing to a blackout due to suspected drone activity on Monday said the IndiGo flight that took off at 8.26 pm went back to Delhi at 9.15 pm."No flights went up north on Monday night. Srinagar and Jammu do not have night flights. Amritsar was to get this flight, which has been sent back to Delhi," said now operational include Chandigarh, Amritsar, Shimla, Ludhiana, Jammu, Srinagar, and three airports of Himachal Pradesh — Bhuntar in Kullu, Gaggal in Kangra, and Jubbarhatti in Shimla — also reopened on Monday. The notice to airmen (NOTAM) barring Indian and Pakistani aircraft from each other's airspace is not gone. Indian flights to and from the West will continue taking the longer route.
The Print
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Print
Code Yellow—inside a mock drill at Delhi's RML Hospital
Hospital staff are ready with stretchers, and doctors on the spot to treat the patients who were taken inside and divided in four groups through a process called triage where patients are categorised based on the severity of illness or injury and the availability of resources. 'Code Yellow' in a hospital setting indicates an internal emergency or a disaster situation. The doctors on duty at one of the city's busiest hospitals rushed to the emergency centre. Outside, blaring ambulances bring patients. Each has three patients. New Delhi: 'All doctors assemble, all doctors assemble!'—announced the speakers at Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital around 4 pm Wednesday, declaring a 'Code Yellow' as part of a nation-wide mock drill to prepare the population at large for any hostile scenario in view of the escalating tensions with Pakistan. Similar drills were conducted at other hospitals and other establishments such as markets, government infrastructure, airports and community buildings. The exercise aimed at training civilians on how to respond to situations like hostile attacks, blackouts or when an air-raid warning is issued. The mock drills across the cities are being carried out under the Civil Defence Act of 1968. This is the first time since the 1971 Bangladesh war that such largescale drill was conducted across the country. Across the country, 244 civil defence districts were identified for the drill. In Delhi, sirens blared at 55 locations including the Khan Market, the NDMC building and the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The patients brought to the RML Hospital as part of the drill were first attended to by the group of doctors at the receiving area of emergency, who put coloured bands on their wrists. The green tag meant no immediate action was required while yellow indicated minor injuries. However, the patients with red bands were sent to critical care assessment. The black band declared death. The mock drill at RML Hospital involved 21 patients, each with different injuries and issues. One person with chest injury, another with leg fracture. Doctors from different departments attended to the patients. The RML and the Lok Nayak hospitals have around 1,600 beds each. Speaking to ThePrint, RML Hospital Medical Superintendent Ajay Shukla said this situation is not like other disasters. 'We do not know how many beds we would need. However, we are prepared for the worst. This will not affect the regular patients, because we have a different team of doctors and nurses deployed for Code Yellow.' He also directed the doctors not to leave the city without his permission. LNJP Hospital The mock drill here lasted around 20 minutes. LNJP Chief Medical Officer Anuj Kumar said, 'We currently have 50 beds in emergency, we will increase it depending on the number of patients.' (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Mock drills to 'Code Brown' prep, how Delhi NCR hospitals are bracing for potential emergencies
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First Post
06-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
India's May 7 mock drills: How should you be prepared?
The Centre has announced pan-India security drills on Wednesday amid heightening tensions with Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. As all states and Union Territories get ready for the security exercise, here's a guide on dos and don'ts for the common man read more India is set to hold a nationwide security drill on Wednesday (May 7) as tensions with Pakistan mount in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all states to carry out mock drills, citing the 'new and complex threats' after the April 22 massacre in Jammu and Kashmir that took 26 lives. Such elaborate drills were last conducted in India in 1971 when India and Pakistan went to war on two fronts. Along with the police, paramilitary and defence forces, authorities will engage students, government and private employees, hospital staff, railway and metro officials in the security exercise. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here's your complete guide to the mock drill on May 7. What will happen in the mock drill? The Centre has asked all states and Union Territories to conduct mock security drills across 244 Civil Defence Districts. However, more than 300 such districts with vital installations like nuclear plants, military bases, refineries, and hydroelectric dams will be carrying out the exercise, sources told PTI. Civil Defence Districts are those areas that the government selects for implementing civil defence programmes. These regions are demarcated on the basis of the location of towns or districts, such as those near borders; the site of vital installations, including nuclear plants and important government buildings; and critical infrastructure like key highways or ports. During the mock drill, air raid warning sirens will be heard. The MHA's direction also mentions 'provision for crash blackout measures' in selected areas and training civilians on safety protocols in the event of an aerial or ground assault. Other measures include assessing the readiness of control rooms, organising rehearsals of evacuation plans and camouflaging sensitive installations such as power plants. It will also entail cleaning of existing bunkers and trenches, activating Civil Defence Services like warden services, firefighting, and rescue service, as well as operationalising hotline/radio communication links with the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Civil Defence Act of 1968 empowers the government to control people's movement, impose curfews, close roads, ports, and transport services in case of emergencies. How will it affect the public? The crash blackout measures are expected to lead to sudden power cuts for a brief period. Blackouts are implemented during conflicts to protect people and vital infrastructure against the enemy's line of fire. According to a 2003 document titled 'General Principles of Civil Defence in India', 'no light shall be visible at a height of 5,000 ft above ground level under normal visibility conditions'. The darkness will make it difficult for advanced high-speed aircraft to attack their target. 'The anxiety level of the enemy pilot in the cockpit would be more if the area is dark,' it says. Power cuts are to be done gradually, with curbs applying to street lights, factories and lights from vehicles. Illuminated advertisements in vulnerable areas are also to be shut down when civil defence measures are implemented. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lights in buildings are allowed to be switched on only if they are covered with opaque material. The mock drill advisory states that people should put up blackout curtains or blinds on all windows. Outdoor lights must be turned off during drills, and no light should be visible from outside. People are also advised not to step out unnecessarily during the drills. ALSO READ: When India 'hid' the Taj Mahal from Pakistani air forces during 1971 war After an air raid warning, all vehicles in a particular area will be stopped and people will be expected to take shelter and other precautionary measures. Those living in vulnerable villages and towns could be evacuated and shifted to shelters, bunkers or trenches. 'Identify the nearest shelter locations, such as basements, underground car parks, or designated safe zones,' the mock drill advisory states. After hearing the siren, people should immediately take cover in the nearest shelter. Civilians should pay attention to only official announcements and not panic when they hear air raid warning sirens. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Army personnel and students perform a mock drill in Army school premises in Mathura in 2016. File Photo/PTI The public may also experience communication disruptions during the pan-India mock drill. The advisory says that non-essential use of mobile phones should be avoided to keep 'communication lines free for emergencies.' People should also prepare a basic kit with water, non-perishable food items, a flashlight, and basic medical supplies. Sources told India Today, there will be instructions to keep cash handy to be ready for situations if mobile devices and digital transactions fail. Those who live near critical installations are advised not to share sensitive information about the facility. They should also report any unfamiliar activity and not interfere with camouflaging activities. A senior official who is in charge of civil defence told CNN-News18 that the Geneva Convention requires the protection of civilians in times of war. 'So, we must empower them, train them to protect themselves. The last such training was in 1999 and before that in 1971. Most young people of this generation are unaware of such a situation. Hence the necessity of the drill," the official added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
