SHILLONG, APR 22: Joint Director of Civil Defence and DIG of SDRF B Mukhim on Thursday urged the public to participate “wholeheartedly” in the statewide civil defence mock exercise on air raid and blackout, scheduled for April 24, saying it is being conducted in the interest of national security.
“The general public is requested to kindly participate wholeheartedly in this civil defence mock exercise which is being conducted in the interest of National Security,” Mukhim told reporters.
The exercise, entitled “ARMEX-1 2026”, will be conducted by the Directorate of Civil Defence & Home Guards, Meghalaya, following a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The mock drill will be held in all districts and involve the Air Force, Army, Police, SDRF, Home Guards, Civil Defence Wardens & Volunteers, Fire & Emergency Services, Health Department, Power Department, SDMA, DDMA, DIPR, Dorbar Shnong, NCC, NSS, NYKS, and other stakeholders.
“ARMEX-1 2026” will be conducted in two stages.
“STAGE I comprising of simulations on Search & Rescue Operations, Fire Response, Evacuation and Medical Response etc and STAGE II comprising of simulation on Air Raid Sirens and Blackout,” Mukhim said.
Stage I will run from 3 PM to 4 PM.
“The Civil Defence Siren will be sounded at 3PM noon in all districts of the State to indicate to signal an Air Raid and the commencement of the Mock Exercise,” he said.
The siren will sound again at 4 PM to signal the “All Clear” and conclusion of Stage I. Stage II, the blackout simulation, will run from 6:59 PM to 7:02 PM. “The Civil Defence Siren will be sounded at 7PM in the evening to signal an Air Raid and the commencement of Blackout,” Mukhim said.
“Here, the general public is requested to kindly participate in the Mock Exercise by switching off their lights, inverters and all source of illuminations as a mock practice of the Blackout,” he added.
“The cooperation of all Dorbar Shnongs, village elders and proprietors of futsal ground is also sought for the successful conduct of this simulation. The Blackout will last for two minutes and end at 7:02 PM sharp with the sounding of the All-Clear Signal through the Civil Defence Siren,” Mukhim said.
He added that such drills would be held regularly. “
As part of the Nation’s Civil Defence preparedness for protection and safeguarding of civilian lives during conflict and wars, Civil Defence mock exercise on Air Raid will be held twice every year with the aim of generating public awareness and preparedness,” Mukhim said.
