Dhubri conducts extensive "Operation Abhyaas" mock drill to bolster air raid preparedness

Assam's Dhubri district on Wednesday, May 7 conducted an extensive mock drill — codenamed Operation Abhyaas — simulating an air raid scenario along the sensitive Indo-Bangladesh border. The exercise, held at 4:00 PM, aimed to rigorously assess the district's emergency preparedness and inter-agency coordination.

The large-scale drill witnessed active participation from a range of key agencies, including the Police, Civil Defence, Fire Department, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Assam Homeguard, National Cadet Corps (NCC), Health Department, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Assam State Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL), local educational institutions, and the Red Cross.

The Raja Probhat Chandra Barua Playground served as the primary staging ground, where a sequence of operations unfolded to mirror the aftermath of a hostile air attack. The exercise commenced with air raid warning sirens, amplified via Flood Light Systems (FLS) across the district, followed by fire engine alarms and urgent public announcements through police patrol vehicles, creating a realistic crisis atmosphere.

The drill included implementing blackout protocols, executing swift search-and-rescue operations from simulated damaged structures, and efficiently evacuating casualties. A makeshift hospital was rapidly set up on-site to manage the influx of "injured" individuals, testing the Health Department's emergency response effectiveness. Additionally, civilians were evacuated from vulnerable zones to designated bunkers, underscoring the significance of pre-identified safe shelters.

An important feature of Operation Abhyaas was the live demonstration and training sessions led by Civil Defence personnel, educating civilians on vital self-protection techniques during hostile attacks. The exercise placed special emphasis on testing the synergy between multiple agencies during high-pressure scenarios.

Speaking on the occasion, Dhubri Deputy Commissioner Dibakar Nath highlighted that the drill's chief objective was to evaluate and fortify the district’s Civil Defence apparatus. “By simulating this high-stakes environment, we gained critical insights into our strengths and identified areas where improvements are needed,” he remarked.

Moferzal Sarkar, Project Officer of the District Disaster Management Authority, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the success of Operation Abhyaas reflects Dhubri’s proactive stance on disaster preparedness and its commitment to safeguarding its citizens. He noted that lessons drawn from the drill would be pivotal in refining emergency protocols and enhancing the district’s overall resilience against potential threats.