‘Many citizens now know what to do in a war-like scenario,’ says Maharashtra civil defence chief

Agencies respond during the drill on Wednesday. Pic/Kirti Surve Parade

Prabhat Kumar, director of civil defence, Maharashtra, who was in charge of Wednesday's drill, told mid-day in a brief interview that the exercise had proven beneficial for several Mumbaikars, teaching them what measures to take in times of crisis. Excerpts:

What was the response to the drill?
We received a good response from citizens. We provided as much information as possible about what to do in a war-like scenario.
Around 4 pm, we conducted a drill at Cross Maidan, where a siren was sounded to alert people. It was raining heavily at the time. During this exercise, we simulated fires caused by a wartime attack.

Prabhat Kumar, director of civil defence, Maharashtra, at his office in the Old Secretariat in Fort on May 7. Pic/Shirish Vaktania

Volunteers assisted in rescuing people trapped inside a building and helped move them to a safe location to minimise loss of life and property. They also called the fire brigade to the spot. NCC [National Cadet Corps] cadets, home guards, and our volunteers all contributed to the success of this drill. We conducted the drill at eight locations across Mumbai. At two, we also carried out blackout simulations. Many citizens participated in the exercise.

Did any potential loopholes come to light?
We did not find any loopholes or face any difficulties during the drill. Our team was well-prepared and trained. The objective of the drill was to raise awareness about the realities of a wartime scenario.

What is the takeaway for Mumbaikars from the drill?
Many citizens are now aware of what actions to take in a war-like scenario, such as using minimal equipment, helping the injured and moving to safe zones. They learned the importance of first ensuring their safety and helping others. They also learned to administer basic medical aid and take the injured to hospitals. We plan to continue these drills, especially in light of recent events like the Indian airstrike on terrorist infrastructure [across the border]. We are prepared for such situations and will continue conducting more drills in the coming days."