Hyderabad:At exactly 4 pm on Wednesday, sirens sounded and civil defence personnel got into action, simulating an attack, ‘rescuing’ people and providing them ‘medical care’ and whisking them away in ambulances. Other residents were escorted to safe places, away from the ‘disaster’ area.It would all have been an exercise with a little bit of fun, but the images of Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory strike early in the day lent an edge which Operation Abhyaas, the civil defence exercise, could scarcely receive. The all-clear sounded at 4.30 pm, giving residents and participants alone a wealth of pictures for their social media handles, and an experience for a lifetime.The drill wasn’t just about rehearsing evacuation or dousing fires. It was a test of coordination between twelve departments — together, they ensured smooth movement, quick medical response, and a calm handling of mock casualties. If there were problems, they would be identified and ironed out, officials said.West MarredpallyAR Millennium Residency in Secunderabad’s West Marredpally, a staged blast marked the beginning of the rescue. Residents were swiftly escorted across the road to NCC Grounds — the designated shelter point — while firefighters simulated evacuation and medical teams readied stretchers. Power supply was cut for 30 minutes.“Our job was to ensure a blackout. Also, during bombings, electricity can worsen things — cause fires, pole damage, even secondary blasts,” explained Narsing Rao, line inspector. His colleague Srinivas Rao added that even Wi-Fi signals and inverters should ideally be shut during such events. “It may seem small, but these details matter,” he said.Children from the neighbouring Valmiki Towers were spotted playing cricket during the drill. The sirens made them pause mid-game, look up and whisper amongst themselves. “I thought we were actually being bombed,” said 10-year-old Rahul, before quickly adding, “But now I want to join the Disaster Rescue Force when I grow up. I didn’t know such people even existed.”NCC cadet Sita V., stationed at the scene, observed the coordination and orderliness. “We practise a lot, but today showed us how it really works. The public cooperating is what made it feel real.” P. Yesu, a DRF officer, seconded that thought. “We’re trained, yes. But unless citizens are aware and stay steady, it’s hard to act effectively in a real situation. Today, the balance was just right.”Across the road, Babu Rao, a sweeper with the SCB , stood in uniform with a helmet and mask, holding a safety flag. “I’m just a worker, but today I felt like I mattered. Even if it’s small, I can do my part,” he said. The SCB had instructed the southern discom to inspect and ensure all power feeders in the area were functioning smoothly.“We made sure the morning and afternoon were full rehearsals. But 4 p.m. was the real test — and Hyderabad passed,” said Prasad P., president of the local residents’ welfare group. “If the country’s in trouble, drills like these show how we can escape, defend ourselves and help others. It builds a quiet kind of patriotism. The government’s intent is and we’re hopeful it turns into preparedness.”NacharamA kid was playing in a park when there was a sudden ‘boom’. There were sirens, ambulances and fire services rushing in and ‘rescuing’ people. It was enough to make the child take pause.Mayflower Grande Apartments in Mallapur was chosen for its proximity to the Nuclear Fuel Complex. Apartment resident K. Pooja found the session informative. She had been alerted via WhatsApp groups. Of her twins, one stepped out to watch the drill while the other remained in the house because it is also panicky.For lawyer Ranjitha Selvan, the blast and the rescue was something out of a movie. “Movies need to be made of such topics as it in one of the means of communication,” she said.Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services DG Y. Nagi Reddy monitored the drill along with DCP P.V. Padmaja and ACP S Chakrapani.NCC cadet Y. Jayanth was informed about the drill on Tuesday, and briefed on how to tackle emergency situations. “It makes us comprehend reality and helps us in quick decision-making,” he said.KhaderbaghAvalon Apartments in Nanalnagar was chosen for its multi-storey layout, cellar structure, and proximity to a defence zone. Residents were asked to simulate an evacuation from the fourth floor, and electricity was cut to add urgency to the exercise. The scene brought in onlookers from the neighbourhood and beyond.“Evacuations in high-rises are more complex. People rely on lifts, which may stop during emergencies. This drill is about making them think through alternatives and raising awareness,” said G.V. Narayan Rao, additional director of the fire department. He was joined by district collector Anudeep Durishetty and MLA Majid Hussain.A senior resident watching from the side said, “This helps. We now have a better idea of how to respond if something goes wrong. More people should know what ...