Kupwara Administration Schedules District-Wide Air Raid and Blackout Mock Drill for April 24

​KUPWARA, April 22, 2026 — The District Administration of Kupwara has announced a comprehensive Civil Defence Air Raid and Blackout Mock Exercise scheduled for April 24, 2026.

According to a public notice issued by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, who also serves as the Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), the training is designed to enhance emergency preparedness and safety protocols across the district.

The initiative includes a preliminary drill at 3:30 PM, followed by a formal blackout exercise lasting ten minutes from 8:00 PM to 8:10 PM.​The primary objective of the exercise is to familiarize citizens with emergency response procedures and evaluate the operational readiness of both the public and local administration during potential crisis situations.

To ensure the drill’s effectiveness, the administration has issued specific instructions for residents to follow immediately upon hearing the 8:00 PM siren.

Residents are advised to switch off all internal and external illumination, including solar lights, mobile torches, and vehicle headlights, while also drawing curtains to prevent light emission.​The notice emphasizes the importance of preparing vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, children, and individuals with health concerns, to prevent distress or confusion during the simulation.

Authorities have clarified that all essential emergency services and critical care facilities will remain fully functional throughout the period. Shrikant Balasehab Suse, the District Magistrate of Kupwara, urged the public to remain calm, reiterating that the event is a routine mock drill and not a real emergency, aimed at building a resilient and safer community.