Punjab will observe a 15-minute blackout across several areas today from 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM as part of a state-wide mock drill to check emergency preparedness and according to officials this exercise is being carried out under the directions of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to prepare people and authorities for situations like wartime emergencies.
Sirens will be used to signal the start and end of the blackout and a warning siren will sound a few minutes before 8:00 PM after which people will be expected to switch off all lights.
During this time:
All household lights must be turned off
Use of generators, inverters & flashlights is not allowed
Power supply will be temporarily cut in many areas including markets, government buildings & residential colonies
At the end of the drill a continuous two-minute siren will act as the “all clear” signal & normal activities will resume.
Authorities have clearly said that this is only a practice drill and people should not panic.
Ludhiana
Blackout from 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM & siren will start at 7:55 PM
Areas under PAU, Kitchlu Nagar and Agr Nagar divisions will be covered and mock drills will be held at 12 locations.
Amritsar
A mock drill will take place at PITEX Ground in Ranjit Avenue and blackout will be observed in the area from 8:00 PM to 8:10 PM.
Mohali
Drill will be held at the District Administrative Complex Sector 76 and nearby areas along with blackout from 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM.
Pathankot
Siren at 7:58 PM followed by blackout from 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM and another siren at 8:15 PM will end the drill. Blackout will be limited to municipal wards only and rural areas will have normal power.
Jalandhar
Mock drill will take place at Khalsa College for Women at 8:00 PM and blackout will be limited to the campus only. There will be no district-wide blackout.
Tarn Taran
Drill will begin at 8:00 PM with a two-minute siren and temporary power cuts may happen.
Fazilka
Blackout at 8:00 PM is scheduled with extra precautions due to its location near the international border and residents must switch off all unnecessary lights.
Bathinda
Blackout in selected areas like PUDA Market and 100-Feet Road from 8:00 PM for around 15 minutes where rescue and relief drills will also be conducted however essential services will continue.
Ferozepur
Drill will begin at 8:00 PM in city areas, cantonment zones and border regions and a warning siren will be followed by a blackout.
The government has requested people to stay calm and support the exercise and officials have stressed that the drill is only for preparedness and there is no real emergency and also mentioned that a similar blackout exercise was also carried out last year as a precautionary step during heightened tensions.