MEDICS LEARN TO DEAL WITH RUSH ALONGSIDE DAILY CONSULTATIONS

Stretchers lined entrances as instructors bellowed out the operating procedures through loudspeakers and staffers moved with urgency at Delhi's hospitals on Wednesday afternoon, as they took part in the nationwide mock drill exercise to test their preparedness for large-scale emergencies.

- Ridhima Gupta

NEW DELHI: At precisely 4pm on Wednesday, the wail of sirens cut through the air across 55 locations in Delhi, echoing a call to action. Simulating everything from air raids to building collapses and fires, the drills plunged the national capital into a frenzy of coordinated chaos. From the bustling streets of Khan Market to the high-stakes infrastructure of Indira Gandhi International Airport and Wazirabad water treatment plant, emergency response teams—comprising Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services (DFS) National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Civil Defence, and medical teams—rushed to test their readiness. With tensions mounting with Pakistan, this nationwide exercise, called "Operation Abhyas", was not just a practice run but a critical measure of Delhi's wartime preparedness.

But despite their urgency, some drills were marred by delays and a lack of serious participation, underscoring the challenges of building wartime resilience. As officials review the lessons learned, future drills will focus on enhancing both public engagement and operational efficiency.

New Delhi's Khan Mkt: A chaotic evacuation The atmosphere at Khan Market was charged when the sirens went off at 4pm. Personnel from NDRF, DFS, and over 90 Civil Defence volunteers sprang into action, with agencies simulating a bombing scenario in the crowded market, followed by a search-and-rescue operation. The exercise lasted 30 minutes, and brought to fore challenges in crowd management and the public's lack of engagement. Despite prior announcements encouraging shopkeepers and visitors to participate, the response was lukewarm.

The parking lot of Khan Market became a temporary triage area, where casualties were assessed and treated. During the simulated air raid and search-and-rescue operations, the emergency teams evacuated 12 simulated casualties, including those with fractures, burns, and shoulder dislocations. They were transported on stretchers to the triage area.