Hyderabad, May 7 -- In a historic exercise to simulate a countrywide power blackout, cities in INDIA, including state capitals and densely populated regions, went through timed blackouts as part of a mock drill directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday, May 7. The exercise, intended to check emergency preparedness and response systems, witnessed lights being turned off in phases in urban and semi-urban regions.

The blackout simulation began anywhere from 6 pm in certain locations and went on well into the night in others. In Surat, Gujarat, the lights went off as part of the simulation without any advance local announcements, checking the readiness of officials and residents alike.

In Uttar Pradesh, chief minister Yogi...