Pakistan armed forces are symbols of national pride and honor that depicts the full confidence that nation has on them. This confidence is outcome of a rich history of armed forces’ enduring commitment and dedication towards the nation during every disaster, natural or otherwise.
Like every year, this year monsoon ushered many challenges along with it. Flooding in rivers and nearby areas is normal occurrence in Pakistan during this season but, this year’s monsoon was different as it caused unprecedented urban flooding in many parts of the country. KPK and Sindh provinces were most affected. Karachi in Sindh and Swabi in KPK were adversely affected by these rains. Many remote areas in Baluchistan were also devastated by these rains.
Pakistan Army established General HQ Flood Relief Center in 1977 and since then it is functioning under General Staff Branch (Engineering Directorate). It is national level relief center to coordinate all relief operations of Pakistan Army during the floods. In the same year, Corps Flood Control were established as operational centers to carryout relief plan devised by GHQFRC. These centers work under respective Corps HQ. To synergize the efforts with civilian governments, Commanders Corps Engineers at Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta also act as Army liaison /coordinating officers with respective governments in each province.
All these flood relief centers work in a synergized manner. Mainly they carried out 3 types of operations.
- Collecting flood related data.
- Coordination with Metrological department for future forecasts.
- Generating river discharge reports.
In KPK, Swabi, Malakand, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Nowshera received heavy rains and flash floods began wreaking havoc on traffic as it demolished many roads and bridges. According to reports, 3 people died of flash floods while many left homeless. People lost their vehicles many people were stranded during the flash floods. Pakistan Army Aviation launched daring rescue operations and save many precious lives. These actions of valor are reason why Pakistani nation has unflinching confidence on their brave armed forces who have always fulfilled their promise to the nation beyond the call of duty.
Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Army, along with Sindh Rangers, were the first responders as the scale of urban flood in the street of Karachi was beyond the limited resources of city’s municipal corporation. Karachi received unusually heavy rains and thunderstorms during current monsoon season.
Unprecedented and unexpected rain spell hit Karachi especially southern part. In 6-8 hours only 106 mm of rain was recorded in few areas of Karachi. All Nullahs including Gujjar, Orangi and Mehmoodabad are working at their optimum capacity. Water will recede in due course of time. In this critical moment, Besides CBC and DHA, Pak Army and Rangers are busy in relief efforts. Apart from Pakistan Army and rangers, Pakistan Navy Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) Operations in collaboration to provincial disaster management authority of Sindh continued in various areas of Karachi.
At one point, there were more than 370 dewatering teams comprising civil/army/rangers/navy were deployed to tackle the aftermath of urban flooding in Karachi.
The role of Pakistan armed forces in these rains are not limited to relief operations only. After intense urban flooding, Pakistan Army has been tasked to carry out hydrological survey of Islamabad and Karachi to assess the possible similar disasters in future so that their losses can be minimized after taking preemptive measures in city planning to mitigate these pending calamities.
Pakistan Armed forces’ role in recent floods and rains has once again illustrated the glorious traditions of armed forces of putting nation first. There is no doubt that Pakistan armed forces will continue to play their illustrated role in natural calamities like floods, earthquakes and land sliding etc. Nation is proud of its armed forces who continue to fulfill their duties with honor, courage and utmost professionalism.
