Over 600 Delhi schools conduct mock drills to boost emergency preparedness

Sirens echoed through school corridors across Delhi on May 7 as thousands of students participated in evacuation drills aimed at boosting emergency preparedness.

The citywide exercise, involving over 550 private and 110 government schools, was conducted amid rising tensions with Pakistan and followed a recent advisory by the Ministry of Home Affairs urging readiness for "new and complex threats."

In response, the Directorate of Education (DoE) issued orders for immediate drills, which played out across classrooms from nursery to senior secondary levels.

At Amity International School in Saket, nearly 2,000 students, along with faculty and staff, rehearsed coordinated emergency actions.

The fire alarm sounded at 8:35 am, prompting students to duck under desks and then calmly exit while shielding their heads with school bags.

“Find a safe space to hide, cover your heads,” teachers instructed as they guided students to assembly points in open areas.

The entire process lasted 15 minutes, emphasizing patience, order, and situational awareness.

At Delhi Public School, RK Puram, the day began with an orientation program where students watched informational videos on emergency protocols. Simulated sirens were used to replicate crisis conditions and reinforce response training.

Divya Bhatia, principal of Amity International, said while such drills are routine, the atmosphere this time carried added urgency.

“We conduct these drills every two months anyway, but we are being careful with the instructions this time... Students are also aware that these are sensitive times,” said Bhatia.

Students like Class 12’s Rabbya Abdi noted that the drills taught them not only how to protect themselves but also how to assist their families during emergencies.

“Now we can tell them what to do in case of an emergency... How not to panic,” she said. Her schoolmate Shivanjali Sapra added, “We also have to make sure that juniors do not panic,” said Abdi.

DPS RK Puram principal Dipti Vohra confirmed the drill was part of a coordinated effort by the DoE, DDMA, and MHA.

“Students, especially from junior classes, were given detailed demonstrations,” she said.

Mount Abu School in Rohini held a similar exercise. Principal Jyoti Arora said the day prior was spent preparing students aged 3 to 18 through orientation sessions.

“This marks a stride towards a safer, stronger, and more resilient India,” she said.

Government schools also joined the effort. Rajesh Kumar Gupta, principal of Government Boys Senior Secondary School in Model Town, noted their drill was scheduled for later in the evening.

That same evening, Delhi participated in "Operation Abhyaas"—a" major nationwide civil defense drill initiated at 4 pm with the blaring of 60 air raid sirens.

Over 55 locations across Delhi’s 11 districts were activated to simulate emergencies ranging from air raids to mass evacuations and temporary hospital setups.

The event mobilized police, fire services, civil defense volunteers, and other emergency responders. The drill was part of a broader national campaign covering 244 towns and districts across India.