Punjab uses thermal drone technology to rescue flood victims
LAHORE: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Punjab has deployed thermal drone technology to strengthen flood rescue operations, with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif praising the Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) for its innovative response.
As relentless monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc across Punjab, rescue teams are turning to advanced tools to reach stranded families. The PSCA confirmed that specially equipped thermal drones were integrated with the Safe City surveillance system, allowing authorities to detect heat signatures of people and livestock trapped in flood-hit zones.
Officials said the drones have been instrumental in coordinating more than 800 successful rescue operations across districts such as Sialkot, Sargodha, Gujrat, and Jhang, where ground access has been cut off due to rising floodwaters. By combining real-time aerial imaging with ground coordination, teams were able to evacuate citizens in areas otherwise inaccessible by boats and vehicles.
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Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, in a statement on her official Facebook page, lauded the Safe City Authority for its efforts. “The use of drone technology has proved critical in ensuring timely evacuations. This innovation reflects Punjab’s commitment to modern disaster management and saving lives,” she said.
Authorities added that thermal drones will continue to play a key role as forecasts predict more heavy rainfall in the coming days. The drones are also being used to monitor breaches in embankments and keep track of water movement, allowing rapid alerts to district administrations.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and CM Maryam Nawaz jointly visited several flood-affected areas to review ongoing relief work. They were briefed by NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, who highlighted that nearly 200,000 people have been evacuated from danger zones in Punjab with the help of the Army, PDMA, and rescue agencies.
With drones now acting as “eyes in the sky,” Punjab’s disaster response capacity has entered a new phase. Officials stressed that the combination of technology, ground operations, and community participation will be essential as the province braces for another wave of rain and swelling rivers.
