Murree Rescue 1122 holds pre-monsoon water rescue drill

ISLAMABAD: Punjab Emergency Service Rescue 1122 Murree carried out water rescue exercises at Rawal Dam ahead of the pre-monsoon season under the directions of Secretary Emergency Services Dr Rizwan Naseer and the District Disaster Management Authority.

The exercise was organised to improve the preparedness of rescue teams and strengthen their ability to respond quickly and professionally to emergencies linked to the coming weather pattern. The focus was on enhancing readiness for flash floods, rising water levels in streams and canals, and incidents involving drowning.

Training focused on rapid response

During the drill, rescue personnel were given practical training in search and rescue operations in water. The exercise also covered rescue work in fast-flowing water, an area considered important in view of the risks associated with pre-monsoon conditions.

Officials also used the occasion to train teams in the handling and operational use of rescue boats and ropes. The exercise was intended to sharpen the professional capabilities of the teams so they could respond more effectively in emergency situations.

Equipment inspection also carried out

Alongside the field exercises, all water rescue equipment was inspected. The inspection formed part of the broader preparedness effort before the onset of the pre-monsoon season.

The drill was conducted as part of efforts by Rescue 1122 Murree to ensure that personnel and equipment remain ready for possible emergencies caused by heavy flows of water and related incidents. The exercise at Rawal Dam brought together operational training and equipment checks in a single preparedness activity.

Pre-monsoon conditions can increase the risk of sudden flooding in low-lying areas and water channels, making advance preparation important for emergency responders. In this context, the exercise was aimed at reinforcing the capacity of rescue teams to deal with a range of water-related emergencies identified in the report.

The activity was conducted under the instructions of the provincial emergency services secretary and the District Disaster Management Authority, with the stated objective of improving readiness, response speed and professional performance before the season begins.