Out of over 272 sirens installed across Mumbai, only around 39 are currently operational, according to officials from the Maharashtra Home Guard and Civil Defence. These functioning sirens are being used for drills following orders from the Director General of Fire Services and Home Guards under the Ministry of Home Affairs, to assess civil defence preparedness in the event of a war-like scenario.

The move comes in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack  and amid heightened concerns over potential hostile situations. On Tuesday, the Maharashtra Home Guard and Civil Defence inspected sirens across the city and found only 39 in working condition. These will be tested today during drills held across all 24 BMC wards. Around 10,000 volunteers, along with trained personnel, will participate in the exercise, educating citizens on how to respond during a war-like emergency.