Punjab to Conduct Statewide Blackout Mock Drill on April 24 to Test Emergency Preparedness

Chandigarh- The Punjab government will conduct a statewide blackout mock drill on April 24 as part of an emergency preparedness exercise aimed at testing civil defence systems and coordination among multiple response agencies.

According to officials, the exercise will begin at 8 pm across all districts following directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The drill will start with an air raid warning signal, which will be communicated through a high-low pitch siren lasting two minutes. This will be followed by a simulated blackout in selected areas identified by district authorities.

During the blackout phase, residents in the designated zones will be required to switch off all non-essential lighting. However, essential services will continue to operate without interruption to ensure public safety and continuity of critical functions.

Authorities have clarified that the exercise is strictly a preparedness drill and not linked to any real threat situation. An “All Clear” signal, marked by a continuous high-pitch siren for two minutes, will signal the end of the drill.

The mock exercise will also test coordinated emergency response activities, including fire fighting, search and rescue operations, medical assistance, evacuation procedures, and traffic and crowd management. Multiple agencies such as the fire department, police, health services, civil defence units, and disaster response teams will participate.

In districts like Ludhiana and Faridkot, separate local drills will also be conducted at designated institutions with scheduled power shutdowns and siren alerts.

Officials have urged citizens to cooperate fully, avoid panic, and refrain from using backup lighting sources such as generators or candles during the exercise, calling it an important step to strengthen disaster readiness in the state.