GANDERBAL, APRIL 23: In a significant move to bolster disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities, the District Administration Ganderbal, under the aegis of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), successfully executed a district-wide Civil Defense Air Raid Mock Drill and Blackout Exercise today.

The initiative was designed to evaluate the operational readiness of various departments and the responsiveness of the general public during simulated emergency scenarios.

The strategic exercise commenced at 02:30 PM at the Government Degree College Ganderbal, which functioned as the primary site for the simulated air raid. This phase of the drill involved seamless coordination between Civil Defense personnel, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, healthcare professionals, and local volunteers.

The session focused on testing early warning systems, including the deployment of sirens and public announcement protocols, while on-ground teams demonstrated rapid evacuation techniques, emergency first-aid administration, and the synchronized movement of rescue vehicles.

The afternoon drill was followed by a district-wide Blackout Exercise observed between 08:00 PM and 08:10 PM. During this ten-minute window, residents and commercial establishments across Ganderbal displayed exemplary cooperation by adhering to “Light Discipline” protocols. This involved extinguishing all indoor and outdoor lighting, powering down backup power systems including generators and inverters, and ensuring total light masking by drawing curtains to prevent light leakage.

Officers of the District Administration Ganderbal personally oversaw the proceedings and expressed satisfaction with the high level of coordination achieved.

Officers present on the occasion stated that such exercises are vital investments in collective safety, bridging the gap between theoretical disaster management plans and practical execution. They further commended the citizenry for their disciplined participation, noting that the synergy between the administration and the public is essential for effective crisis management.

The District Administration informed that these drills are part of routine preparedness initiatives intended to enhance public awareness and streamline response coordination.

It also extended its gratitude to the residents, business owners, and local institutions for their strict adherence to official advisories, which ensured the exercise concluded successfully without any reports of panic or misinformation.