TAXILA: Punjab Emergency Service, Rescue 1122 conducted a pre-flood mock exercise at Haji Shah Dam in Attock on Sunday to evaluate the response strategy of its team and further enhance its operational compatibility.

Civil defence, police, health, district education, Punjab riverine police force and other related departments participated in the mock exercise to avoid flood devastation.

It was the second exercise conducted during the monsoon to check preparedness level, response strategy and coordination of rescue teams with other departments to deal with any flood emergency. Deputy Commissioner Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh along with Additional Deputy Commissioner Asadullah Khan, chief executive District Health Authority Dr Jawad Ellahi, District Health Officer Dr Junaid Tariq supervised the exercise.

Engr Kamran Rasheed, district emergency officer (Attock) while briefing officials said that timely coordination and preparedness in case of flood could be helpful in saving precious human lives.

He made it clear that Rescue 1122 will be fully alert during the monsoon season to tackle a flood-like situation, adding that strong departmental coordination and swift response to any flood emergency could save precious lives. He informed participants that this is the first mock exercise conducted before commencement of monsoon season in the district.

Speaking on this occasion, Deputy Commissioner Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh said that section 188 has been promulgated to ban swimming, bathing in rivers and water channels to avert further loss of human lives.

Mr Imran revealed that the sensitivity of the matter could be judged from the fact that it is the first time in the history of district Attock since 1914 that section 188 has been promulgated for 30 days.

“The ban is imposed to safeguard the precious lives of citizens,” he said, adding in order to avoid more incidents of drowning due to bathing and swimming in water spots, it is necessary to take such immediate measures.

He said that station house officers (SHOs) of police stations concerned have been directed to register complaints under section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) against violators.

Later, officials visited the field hospital and monitored equipment and facilities of the emergency service.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2021