Gangtok, May 8: The Gangtok District Administration conducted a district-wide blackout mock drill on Wednesday night to assess emergency preparedness and coordination among response agencies. The drill was carried out under the directive of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, as part of the nationwide India Blackout Mock Drills.

The exercise began at 9:00 PM with air raid sirens sounded by twenty hooter-fitted vehicles across Gangtok town. A complete blackout was observed from 9:00 PM to 9:30 PM, during which residents were instructed to turn off all sources of light, including inverters, generators, and solar-powered lights. Public movement was restricted, and citizens were advised to stay indoors.

To simulate real-time emergency conditions, the Power Department implemented a temporary electricity shutdown throughout the district.

Around 200 newly recruited Disaster Management personnel and Aapda Mitra volunteers were deployed across urban and rural areas to observe compliance and report findings

The District Administration clarified that the exercise was a planned mock drill with no actual emergency. Authorities appreciated the cooperation of the public, stating that the successful execution demonstrated the district’s readiness to respond to potential aerial threats and other emergencies.