Sambalpur: Civil Defense Mock Drill Successfully Conducted in Sambalpur; Sirens Sounded, Public Demonstrated Awareness

Sambalpur: On Wednesday afternoon at exactly 4 PM, loud sirens rang out across Sambalpur, startling residents and signaling a simulated enemy attack. The siren lasted for about three minutes. People responded immediately wherever they were, they quickly took shelter in nearby buildings. Many lay down on the ground for safety. Shops and markets shut down instantly, and everyone remained in secure places. Roads and public spaces emptied rapidly.

Second Siren Signals End of Drill

At around 4:15 PM, authorities sounded a second siren. This indicated the situation had returned to normal. Sambalpur is among 12 districts in Odisha categorized under “Category B” for civil defense. Today’s drill took place from Laxmi Talkies Chowk to Sambalpur Railway Station. The aim was to raise public awareness and test emergency response readiness in case of a real enemy attack.

Various Forces Participate in the Drill

Along with the public, police, fire services, NCC (National Cadet Corps), and NSS (National Service Scheme) volunteers actively participated in the drill. Civil defense teams also conducted similar exercises in the Hirakud Dam area. Sambalpur District Collector Siddheswar Baliram Bondar urged people to stay alert and follow government guidelines strictly.

Goal: Evaluate Readiness and Raise Awareness

This mock drill aimed to test how well civilians and emergency teams could react to a potential war-like situation. It also intended to raise public awareness and ensure smooth coordination among government departments, voluntary organizations, and the general public. Various departments and civil society groups came together to make the exercise a success.

Public Reacts Quickly at Multiple Locations

The siren sounded simultaneously at City Centre Mall, Laxmi Talkies Chowk, Mudipada Chowk, Cheruapada, and near Khetrajpur Railway Station. As a result, people left open spaces immediately and took shelter in nearby buildings. At City Centre Mall, staff and shoppers showed quick and organized reactions. Mall employees guided people to safe areas. Nearby shops and buildings also shut their security gates.

At Laxmi Talkies and Mudipada Chowk, people rushed indoors and waited for further instructions. When the second siren rang at 4:15 PM, it signaled the end of the mock drill and a return to normalcy.

Emergency Services Demonstrate Response in Second Phase

In the second phase of the drill, ambulance teams, fire brigades, and medical staff demonstrated their roles. Firefighters showed how to handle potential fire outbreaks using extinguishers and other equipment. Volunteers gave first aid to an injured “victim” and then transferred them by ambulance to the nearest hospital.

Volunteers Help Manage the Public

NCC, NSS, and other volunteer groups played an important role in guiding the public. They gave safety instructions, controlled crowds, discouraged panic, and showed how to seek emergency help. The drill highlighted the importance of fast and organized emergency response during a war-like crisis.