RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Rescue 1122 conducted mock drills at Gawalmandi area along Leh Nullah to assess preparations for rescue operations in case of possible floods during the monsoon.

The drills were attended by the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), civil defence department (CDD), the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), volunteers, and scouts.

Following intimation by the district administration in Rawalpindi, City Police Officer Khalid Hamdani directed the SPs, SDPs, and SHOs to deploy police forces at 19 vulnerable points of flooding to ensure foolproof security.

A spokesperson for Emergency Service Rescue 1122 highlighted that practical exercises were conducted to showcase preparedness in handling potential flood hazards. These exercises included flood mock-ups, aimed at testing the efficiency, practical training, and timely response of government departments in emergency situations. The exercises also assessed the resources, coordinated efforts, and trained staff in challenging scenarios.

Deputy Commissioner Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema inspected the exercise and said that the main objective of these exercises is to prepare for floods or any kind of emergency in the expected monsoon rains and to highlight the professionalism of the concerned staff as well as to check the machinery.

He further said that the district administration has finalised the monsoon plan. Machinery overhauling, staff training, cleaning of sewerage lines, setting up of flood response units, and cleaning of Leh Nullah will be completed before the monsoon rains.

District Emergencies Officer Rescue 1122 Sibgatullah briefed about the equipment used in Rescue 1122 in case of any emergency and also informed about the details of said machinery. He also said that Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi would be on 24-hour alert to deal with any flood situation during the monsoon, and it is a part of the daily scheduled exercises of Flood-Exercise Rescue 1122, Rawalpindi.

Deputy Commissioner Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema reviewed the flood mock exercises conducted in 2022 and appreciated the performance of officials in conducting such mock flood prevention exercises in 2024. He expressed full confidence in the readiness of the people, appreciated the efforts of the youth of Rescue 1122, and declared Rescue 1122 an asset of the nation.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2024