Blackout drill to be conducted in Jalandhar on May 31

Jalandhar: A district-wide blackout drill will be conducted in Jalandhar on May 31 between 9:30 pm and 10 pm to assess emergency preparedness, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal said on Friday.

The Deputy Commissioner said that a siren will be sounded before the blackout begins, after which lights across the district including streetlights managed by the Municipal Corporation will be switched off. Only emergency services will remain operational during the drill.

Residents have been urged not to use generators or inverters during the blackout period. Outdoor lights of homes should also remain off. In case of any issues, people may contact the district control room at 0181-2224417.

Dr. Aggarwal clarified that the blackout is part of a routine emergency response drill and that there is no cause for alarm. He said it is important for citizens to adhere to safety protocols during the exercise.

He further advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel during the blackout. If travel is essential, vehicle lights should be turned off and the vehicle parked on the roadside during the drill.

A mock drill will also be held earlier in the evening at 6 pm near Jawahar Park, Jalandhar Cantonment, adjacent to the Cantonment Board Office. The exercise will simulate an emergency scenario to evaluate preparedness, including the availability of essential services such as food supplies and healthcare.

Agencies including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Security Force (BSF), and the Army will participate in the drill. The focus will be on implementing and testing key safety protocols.

Dr. Aggarwal urged residents to support the exercise by following the government’s instructions and cooperating as responsible citizens.