J&K Civil Defence Leads Vital Wartime Preparedness Drive: Empowering Locals with Life-Saving Skills

1. Rajouri, Jammu & Kashmir – In a decisive step to enhance civilian preparedness in vulnerable regions, the Civil Defence Department of Jammu & Kashmir, in coordination with the local administration, launched a robust wartime awareness campaign and mock drill. The initiative is designed to equip residents—particularly those living near border areas—with essential knowledge on how to safeguard themselves in the event of wartime emergencies, such as shelling, drone attacks, or blackout situations.

As highlighted in the awareness session, one official remarked, “Previously, people here were not aware of how to protect themselves if a war or shelling occurs.” This drive fills a crucial information gap by providing hands-on training and real-time demonstrations.

Key Protective Measures Disseminated

The Civil Defence campaign emphasized practical safety measures for civilians, with special focus on securing shelter, managing exposure to glass, blackout procedures, and responding effectively to emergency sirens.

1. Securing Shelter: Basement and Ground Floor Safety

Residents were advised to move to the basement of their homes or buildings immediately if shelling begins. If a basement is not available, the ground floor is the next safest location.

“If someone is living in a double-storey or three-storey house, they should immediately shift to the basement or the ground floor to remain safe,” said a Civil Defence representative.

2. Window Hazards and Mitigation

Participants were warned against staying in rooms with windows during drone strikes or shelling. In cases where rooms with windows cannot be avoided, residents should fortify windows using sandbags or thick bedding materials, such as mattresses.

“Do not go into rooms that have windows,” emphasized the officer. “If there is no option, cover windows with whatever thick material is available to reduce danger.”

3. Blackout Procedures & Drone Threats

The campaign shed light on the strategic importance of blackouts during drone activity. Drones equipped with light sensors can target illuminated areas. Therefore, turning off all lights is critical during alerts.

To simulate a real-life scenario, a 15-minute blackout drill was conducted, beginning at 8:00 PM, a time chosen deliberately to emphasize night-time vulnerability. Residents were shown how to swiftly darken their homes and surroundings in response to alerts.

“The sensor in a drone directly attacks where the light is on,” explained a Civil Defence instructor.

4. Responding to Emergency Sirens

Detailed instructions were provided for various real-life scenarios:

• If indoors: Move quickly to the safest enclosed area.
• If driving: Pull over to the side of the road, turn off the vehicle lights, and seek cover.

Empowering the Community for Resilience

This awareness campaign was not just a formality—it was a comprehensive training and empowerment exercise. Through clear communication and active participation, local citizens were taught how to protect themselves and help others in crisis situations.

“The administration played a very good role in making people aware,” said a local participant.

“The purpose of today’s mock drill by Civil Defence was to instil awareness in people on how to protect themselves and society if such circumstances arise,” added another official.