Hyderabad traffic to be restricted in identified zones for mock air-raid drill from 4 p.m.; emergency services exempted

Traffic flow will be restricted in Hyderabad for civil defence mock drill simulating an air strike on Wednesday evening. The image is used for representative purposes only.,
| Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G

Traffic flow will be restricted with the exception of emergency services as Hyderabad will come to a temporary halt at certain junctions on Wednesday (May 7, 2025) evening (4 to 4.30 p.m.) for a large-scale civil defence mock drill simulating an air strike.

“Traffic movement will be restricted in the identified zones for a few minutes during the siren call, with ambulances and other emergency services getting a green channel. Emergency response vehicles will be deployed as part of the drill. Temporary power blackouts, air-raid sirens, and loudspeaker announcements will mimic real-time emergency conditions,” explained an officer from the Hyderabad traffic police.

Code named ‘Operation Abhyaas’, the exercise will be carried out between 4 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. at four strategic locations in Secunderabad Cantonment, Golconda Cantonment, Kanchan Bagh and Nacharam within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) limits. The simulation, to be jointly organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services, will involve coordinated participation from the State police, armed forces, fire department, health teams and civic agencies.

The drill would be conducted against the backdrop of heightened security concerns following India’s retaliatory strikes on May 7. In response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where several Indian soldiers lost their lives, Indian armed forces carried out precision strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ targeting nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

While prior alerts have been issued, authorities have urged residents not to panic. Those in the affected zones are expected to follow directions from the drill teams and cooperate fully.