A senior KSDMA official told South First that the guidelines were issued “as a precaution, not a cause for panic,” and form part of the state's comprehensive disaster preparedness framework.
Published May 10, 2025 | 10:53 AM ⚊ Updated May 10, 2025 | 10:53 AM
“Preparedness saves lives. There’s no reason for alarm, but it is always wise for communities to stay ready,” the official added.
Synopsis: The advisory recommended that families stock essential supplies — groceries, cooking oil, and fuel — sufficient for at least a week.
Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued a detailed public advisory, outlining safety precautions to take in the event of an air-raid warning.
Though Kerala is geographically far from the conflict zones, the advisory comes against the backdrop of heightened security alerts across the country and aims to bolster civilian preparedness for any unforeseen eventuality.
A senior KSDMA official told South First that the guidelines were issued “as a precaution, not a cause for panic,” and form part of the state’s comprehensive disaster preparedness framework.
“Preparedness saves lives. There’s no reason for alarm, but it is always wise for communities to stay ready,” the official added.
The advisory recommended that families stock essential supplies — groceries, cooking oil, and fuel — sufficient for at least a week.
Each household has been urged to assemble a family emergency kit containing drinking water, dry food items, essential medicines, a battery-powered or solar torch, and a radio to receive official updates.
Citizens have been asked to familiarise themselves with air-raid siren signals:
Safe indoor shelters, basements, or windowless rooms are recommended as refuge areas during such alerts.
As part of the preparedness measures, the KSDMA has instructed residents to observe blackout protocols by switching off all indoor and outdoor lights, covering windows with thick curtains or makeshift panels like cardboard, and avoiding the use of light-emitting devices near windows.
The use of mobile phones, television screens, and electrical appliances during blackouts should be kept to a minimum to avoid accidental detection and prevent hazards.
The guidelines stress special attention to the safety of children, elderly family members, and pets during blackouts. Families are encouraged to conduct practice drills, aiming to move to designated safe areas within one to two minutes.
The KSDMA has asked residents to rely solely on official information sources such as All India Radio, Doordarshan, and the agency’s verified social media handles for emergency updates and instructions.
The advisory follows Kerala’s participation in a nationwide civil defence mock drill conducted on 7 May, in compliance with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs’ directive.
The exercise, held across 126 centres spanning all 14 districts, was designed to enhance grassroots-level civil defence readiness.
The drill simulated a range of emergency scenarios, including air raid warnings, crash blackouts, camouflaging of vital installations, evacuation operations, hotline coordination with the emergency responders, and civilian emergency training.
Kerala’s drill incorporated both urban and rural setups, testing the state’s preparedness across various possible contingencies.
While tensions along the India-Pakistan border remain a cause for concern, Kerala officials have reiterated that these measures are part of routine preparedness exercises.
“Such advisories ensure that our communities are not caught unprepared. Better to stay ready than to be caught off guard,” the KSDMA official added.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
