Continuing with the tradition of always coming to the aid of the nation in times of crises, Pakistan Armed Forces are once again at the forefront to provide relief and rescue to the flood victims all over the country. Pakistan Army has established a Relief and Rescue Organization under Headquarters Army Air Defense Command to manage relief and rescue operations.
Pakistan Navy (PN) relief and rescue operations are also continuing in different flood affected areas of Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Mirpur Khas, Sukkur, Sanghar, Qambar Shahdadkot, Sajawal, Rajanpur, Paharpur and Dera Ismail Khan.
Relief and Rehabilitation Operations, along with Medical Support by Pakistan Air Force (PAF), are also being conducted round the clock in the flood affected areas of Sindh, Balochistan and South Punjab. PAF personnel are actively engaged in the timely provision of basic necessities of food, shelter, drinking water and medical assistance to the flood victims. PAF Medical Lab Collection points are promptly sampling and diagnosing the water-borne diseases amongst the flood victims following which they are being provided free medical care.
National ISR and Integrated Air Operations Centre (NIIAOC) established at Air Headquarters, Islamabad is working round the clock to coordinate rescue and relief efforts in synchronization with all stakeholders.
Following are the rescue and relief efforts being carried out by the tri-services.
Balochistan
Commander Balochistan Corps, Lieutenant General Asif Ghafoor along with Inspector-General Frontier Corps (IGFC-N), Major General Amir Ajmal and Commissioner Quetta, Saeed Umrani visited flood relief camp at Qilla Saifullah. On this occasion, the Corps Commander along with others offered prayers for the people of Qila Saifullah who lost their lives during the recent floods. The Corps Commander said that after immediate rescue and initial relief efforts, now the focus is on damage assessment and subsequent rehabilitation in Qillah Saifullah. He assured the flood victims that their rehabilitation remains a national obligation and every possible step will be taken in this regard by all stakeholders.
Lieutenant General Asif Ghafoor also visited Hairdin, Dera Murad Jamali, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi and Ghandawa. Floods have severely hit the already poverty-stricken far-flung and inaccessible areas of Balochistan making relief activities more challenging. The flood-affected population requires massive support for which government, civil administration and Army are jointly doing their best. Efforts are being further expedited for the restoration of road links while many areas are still dependent on air effort.
Sindh:
Pakistan Navy (PN) has deployed two hovercraft to evacuate the stranded people in flood water at Dadu District. These hovercraft have evacuated hundreds of trapped people from Goth Ahmed Khan Chandio in Khairpur Nathan Shah to high point safe areas. These hovercraft are capable of operating on water, land and muddy areas. PN utilizes them for the defense of Creeks Areas. Currently, stationing of hovercraft to evacuate the stranded people will speed up the rescue operation at far-flung and remote areas where evacuation through small boats is difficult.
In continuation of the rescue operations, 75 people were rescued by helicopter from Gozo area of Dadu. 60 other people trapped in flood water in Zahru Goth were also rescued safely. More than 50 people rescued from Ladhan Village and four other areas of Dadu were shifted to high safe areas. Thousands of survivors from small villages in Mirpur Khas, Qambar Shahdadkot and Dadu have been evacuated so far by Pakistan Navy.
PAF helicopter fleet is also actively participating in operations for airdropping ration, medicine and critical supplies in the area. PAF personnel are also extending all-out support to the civil administration in the rehabilitation process of the flood affectees.
Deputy Chief of Air Staff Administration, Air Marshal Hamid Rashid Randhawa, HI(M) inspected the PAF relief camp near Hyderabad. He expressed his satisfaction on the facilities being provided to the flood affectees. The Air officer also lauded the professionalism of PAF Emergency Response Teams for taking prompt actions and continued relief operations in the far-flung areas.
Punjab:
In the aftermath of the recent deluge, Pakistan Army is actively engaged in rescue and relief operations including helicopter operations in the flood-affected areas of Dera Ghazi Khan district since July 2022. So far, Army teams have rescued 5,683 people including women, children and their belongings from the flood affected areas to safer areas/places. In addition to that, 30,704 packets of ready-made meal/dry ration and 10,774 tents have been provided to the affected people. Moreover, 9,673 individuals including 542 women and 791 children have also been treated in the medical camps of Dera Ghazi Khan.
All available resources are being utilized by Pakistan Army including helicopter operations while undertaking effective rescue and relief activities in areas of Rajanpur district. So far, Army teams have rescued 40,337 stranded people to safer areas. In addition to that, 53,451 packets of readymade meal/dry ration and 11,000 tents have also been distributed to the people in the relief camps. Moreover, 14,913 patients in total, including women and children have been treated in the medical camps of Rajanpur district.
PN Diving and Emergency Response teams are carrying out rescue and relief operations in the flood affected areas across the country including Dera Ismail Khan, Rajanpur, Jampur, Fazilpur and various areas of Punjab. PN rescue teams having air assets, motorized boats and lifesaving equipment are providing all out support and reaching out to people in the far-flung remote areas.
Deputy Chief of Air Staff Administration, Air Marshal Hamid Rashid Randhawa HI(M) inspected the PAF flood relief camp in Rajanpur district and expressed satisfaction on the facilities being provided to the flood victims. He also appreciated the untiring efforts of PAF emergency response teams for providing timely support and relief efforts. He assured the flood affectees that PAF would continue the rescue and relief operation until the rehabilitation of all distressed countrymen is completed.
Air Officer Commanding Central Air Command, Air Vice Marshal Zafar Aslam SI(M) inspected the PAF Flood Relief Camp in Rajanpur district and expressed satisfaction on the relief efforts being provided by PAF teams.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
Air Officer Commanding Northern Air Command, Air Vice Marshal Hakim Raza, SI(M) also oversaw relief activities conducted by Saidu Sharif Dett at Arak, Tehsil Matta. Locals from the area and civil administration appreciated PAF's relief and rehabilitation efforts.
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