Punjab Deploys First-Ever Emergency Airlift Drone Amid Flood Rescue Operations
Multan, Punjab: In a pioneering move, Punjab’s Civil Defence has deployed a modern drone capable of airlifting individuals weighing up to 200 kilograms to assist in flood rescue efforts. The Home Secretary ordered the drone to be dispatched to Multan immediately to aid ongoing operations.
Before its deployment, the Civil Defence Department conducted successful test flights of the airlift drone in Lahore. Authorities have also announced plans to acquire 10 additional drones to strengthen the province’s disaster response capabilities.
“This is Pakistan’s first emergency airlift drone service, established under the Punjab Civil Defence Resilience Corps initiative,” said the Punjab Home Secretary. He added that Civil Defence personnel, alongside trained volunteers, continue to serve as frontline responders, saving lives during floods and other emergencies.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that the intensity of the monsoon season has decreased, and no significant rise in river flows in Punjab is expected in the coming days. The Director General of PDMA confirmed that the latest monsoon spell in the upper catchment areas has ended, marking the conclusion of the tenth spell of monsoon rains in the province.
Although heavy rainfall is not expected next week, several rivers in Punjab continue to experience high to very high flood levels. At Ganda Singh Wala on the Sutlej River, water flow has reached an extremely high level of 230,000 cusecs, while Sulemanki reports a high flood of 137,000 cusecs.
On the Chenab River, Marala records a flow of 62,000 cusecs, with Khanki and Qadirabad both reporting low floods of 98,000 cusecs. At Trimmu, the river flow has surged to 250,000 cusecs, and Panjnad is facing an extremely high flood of 475,000 cusecs.
The Ravi River shows flows of 26,000 cusecs at Jassar and 31,000 cusecs at Shahdara. Balloki headworks is experiencing a medium-level flood at 80,000 cusecs, while Sidhnai faces a high flood of 121,000 cusecs.
PDMA emphasised that all relevant departments remain on high alert under the directives of the Chief Minister of Punjab. Resources are being fully mobilised to safeguard lives and property, with continuous monitoring of river flows ongoing.
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