In response to a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Tamil Nadu government has announced a series of civil defence mock drills at major reservoirs across the state, scheduled for the upcoming week. These exercises aim to assess and enhance the preparedness of vital installations managed by the Water Resources Department (WRD).
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Previously, similar drills were conducted at critical infrastructure sites, including ports, atomic power stations, airports, and thermal power stations. Notably, on May 10, simulations were carried out at the VO Chidambaranar Port Authority and the Thoothukudi Thermal Power Station, where scenarios such as air raids were enacted to test emergency response protocols, including protection measures, safe evacuation procedures, and first aid administration.
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The upcoming drills will commence with Table Top Exercises (TTX) involving key officials to strategize responses to potential emergencies. Subsequently, district collectors and the Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner will oversee on-site mock drills in selected areas during the latter half of the week.
These initiatives are part of a broader effort to bolster civil defence mechanisms, especially in light of recent security concerns, such as the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. The state government has emphasized that these are precautionary measures to ensure readiness and that there is no cause for public alarm.