Delhi Enacts 15-Minute Power Outage as Part of Emergency Readiness Exercise

Capital Plunged into Darkness: Capital-Wide 'Operation Abhyaas' Simulates Wartime Conditions

(An unconventional affair took place in New Delhi last night, leaving the city with an eerie atmosphere, reminiscent of a scene straight out of apocalyptic movies.)

In an unexpected turn of events, New Delhi was plunged into darkness for a good fifteen minutes on Wednesday evening, instilling a sense of unease among the city's residents. The striking dark silhouettes of iconic buildings such as the Parliament, India Gate, embassies, and administrative centers were a far cry from the usual vibrant spectacle.

The unexpected blackout was part of a nationwide civil defence mock drill, codenamed 'Operation Abhyaas'. Led by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), this mega exercise aimed to test the Indian populace and its various agencies' preparedness for emergency wartime conditions amidst escalating tensions with Pakistan following the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam.

According to officials, all residents were requested to cooperate and adapt to the situation. While major government offices and diplomatic enclaves participated in the exercise, essential facilities such as hospitals, metro stations, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the PMO were exempted.

Among the city's landmark markets and public spaces, Connaught Place, Khan Market, and Town Hall in Chandni Chowk momentarily ceased their usual nighttime revelry. Markets usually brimming with life succumbed to an unsettling silence, providing a chilling contrast.

Central Delhi witnesses five major locations subjected to the blackout - Wazirabad, Chandni Chowk, and the Civic Centre, along with parts of Karol Bagh and Prasad Nagar. In North West Delhi, blackouts were orchestrated at five identified spots, prioritizing minimal disruption to emergency services.

The rain-drenched streets of southeast Delhi were not left untouched by the dark tide either; a government school in Madan Kahadar and DLF King's Court apartments in Greater Kailash were also affected. Despite the precipitation and the presence of essential service providers, selected southeast Delhi areas participated to ensure symbolic involvement in the nationwide event.

Earlier in the day, authorities carried out mock security drills at 55 locations across the city.

While the power cut lasted only a brief period, the visual impact it created was undeniable. The blackout served as a stark reminder of New Delhi's readiness to adapt and respond to high-risk scenarios, reaffirming the capital's resolve amidst escalating security threats.

(As with most of our news stories, this has not been modified by our editorial team, being sourced from a third-party agency.)

The unexpected blackout event was part of a civil defense mock drill, Operation Abhyaas, under the leadership of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), simulating emergency wartime conditions in response to the escalating tensions with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack.
Rashtrapati Bhavan and the PMO were among the essential facilities exempted from the blackout, yet major government offices and diplomatic enclaves took part in the exercise as requested by officials.
Amidst war-and-conflicts news, the capital's general-news scene transformed into an eerie atmosphere, with renowned landmarks, including Connaught Place, Khan Market, and Town Hall in Chandni Chowk, experiencing silence during the blackout exercise.
In the spirit of shared readiness, areas like Nagar witnessed blackouts, along with other hotspots such as Wazirabad, Chandni Chowk, the Civic Centre, and parts of Karol Bagh and Prashtapati Bhavan, to symbolize the capital's concerted efforts during high-risk scenarios.