Punjab Launches Airlift Drone Service for Flood Rescue

The Punjab government has launched an emergency airlift drone service to support rescue and relief operations in flood-hit regions. The specially designed drone is capable of lifting and transporting a person weighing up to 200 kilograms.

Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi directed that the drone be dispatched to Multan immediately to assist in rescuing people stranded by rising waters. Before deployment, the Civil Defense successfully carried out test flights over the Ravi River in Lahore.

Dr. Qazi further announced that the government will purchase 10 additional airlift drones in the near future, making Punjab the first province to establish such a service. He said the Home Department is equipping Civil Defense with modern technology and international-standard training to strengthen emergency response.

“This drone service will allow us to rescue people from areas that are otherwise too dangerous or inaccessible,” he stated.

Highlighting the role of Civil Defense teams, he noted that they provide vital assistance during floods and disasters by saving lives, moving victims, livestock, and belongings to safety, and ensuring the supply of food, shelter, and medicine. He also revealed that over 4,000 citizens registered this week as Civil Defense volunteers through the government’s online portal.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Maryam Khan reported that de-watering work at Mohlanwal Theme Park is in progress. She said 17 de-watering machines and five cranes are in operation, along with temporary drains and engines placed at key points.

“So far, more than half of the floodwater has been cleared from low-lying areas of the park,” she added, following a visit to the site on the Chief Minister’s instructions.