India, May 8 -- As tensions between India and Pakistan rise, civil defense drills are being conducted across the nation to prepare citizens and it's usual for one to wonder how to prepare one's household to buy and stock essentials in the eventuality of a complete blackout or even a war.

Here's a practical guide on how you can stock up on necessities:

Inputs by LT Col JS Sodhi (Retd)

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hindustan Times....