Note: This article discusses about the Search & Rescue operations conducted by Pakistan Armed Force during recent floods across Pakistan.
Monsoon rains have taken scores of lives and damaged infrastructure in Rural and Urban areas of Pakistan. According to Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman, Monsoon Rains broke a 30-year record in Sindh and Balochistan. Besides civil administration Pakistan Armed forces are also contributing largely in evacuating the citizens and providing help by all necessary means.
Rescue operations in Balochistan
Pakistan Army troops are assisting civil administration in rescue and relief efforts in flood affected areas of Balochistan. Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps Balochistan Emergency Response teams are constantly busy in dewatering, supplying basic food necessities and medical care to affected population. 29 Districts of Balochistan have been affected due to recent rains/flash floods particularly Lasbela, Kech, Quetta, Sibbi, Khuzdar and Kohlu. Trapped Water is being drained from the affected areas through dewatering pumps and tankers. More than 700 families during floods in Bolan, Lasbela, Othal and Jhal Magsi were shifted to safe places.
Pakistan Army has established free medical camps at various locations in Balochistan where medical facilities and free medicines are being provided. 7.5 tons of food items, shelters and other relief materials have been provided in Lasbela, Othal, Jhal Magsi, Khuzdar and other affected areas.
Two army aviation helicopters flew from Karachi to Othal, Lasbella areas. The helicopters shifted stranded people to safer places and also transported necessary relief items. Ground rescue and relief teams are busy in Othal, Jhal Magsi in shifting people to safer places and provision of food and water to local residents. Doctors and paramedics are providing medical care to affected people. Efforts are in hand to repair the damaged communication infrastructure and restore utilities. Protection bund in Turbat which was breached has been repaired.
General Officer Commanding at Gwadar visited Othal area to oversee rescue and relief efforts. Army dewatering teams have cleared Gwadar area. Coastal highway blocked at Aghore has been opened for traffic.
On 30 July, 2022, on the special instructions of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, PAF personnel and helicopter fleet are actively engaged in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support to the people stranded in flash floods affected areas of Balochistan. PAF helicopters have distributed 4200 kgs ration comprising flour, ghee, sugar, daal, tea in the calamity hit areas during the last two days. Additionally, several families have been evacuated from land locked areas to safer place. Relief operation in Balochistan is a practical manifestation of Pakistan Air Force’s resolve to extend all out support to fellow countrymen in the hour of need.
Field Medical Camp established by CMH Khuzdar and FC in Hafizabad treated 145 affected people. Also, General Officer Commanding at Gwadar visited Hub and Uthal. 2 sorties of MI-17 were conducted and 1500 kgs of ration items were distributed in Hub and Uthal. Field Medical camp established at Khazina treated more than 200 patients.
Standby response teams are stationed at various locations in Balochistan for relief activities and to counter any emergency situation due to flooding.
Rescue operations in Punjab
Troops are assisting civil administration in relief Efforts in DG Khan due to flash flooding and hill torrents. Two Medical camps have been established by Army to provide medical care to local people affected due to floods.
All hill torrents are flowing normal except some increased flow in Mithawan, Kaha & Sanghar Hill torrents. Local commanders visited Rajanpur and DG Khan. Relief items were distributed among flood affected people. Medical camps have been established in both districts.
Rescue operations in Sindh
Apart from dewatering efforts in Karachi, Pakistan Army troops are busy in relief efforts in Jamshoro and Gharo areas. 58 dewatering teams were employed for dewatering in Karachi only.
Gharo Grid Station at Thatta which was flooded with water has been cleared by Army dewatering teams. 300 individuals have been evacuated in Jamshoro and Pakistan Army established relief camp at Jamshoro. M-9 was flooded at various places due to overflow of Lath Dam. Dewatering teams along with heavy machinery were employed to clear the road. Ration and medicine being provided to local people at Dadu and Khairpur.
Rescue operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Pakistan Army, Navy, FC, and Rangers troops are constantly assisting the civil administration and local communities in flood affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Rescue operations in Gilgit Baltistan
Pakistan Army troops are assisting civil administration in rescue and relief efforts in flood affected areas of Gilgit Baltistan. Pakistan Army is constantly busy in dewatering, supplying basic food necessities and medical care to affected population.
700 families trapped Water is being drained from the affected areas through dewatering pumps and tankers. Pakistan Army has established free medical camps at Ghizer where people are being provided medical facilities and free medicines.
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Author: Ali Hassan
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