Rescue 1122 has been widely praised for its swift and effective response to devastating floods in Gujrat district, which destroyed crops, homes, and livelihoods but resulted in remarkably low loss of life. The emergency service’s efforts drew special commendation from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, as well as praise from local political workers, civil activists, and even opposing factions—an unusual display of unity in a highly polarized region.
As floodwaters surged across Shahbazpur, Kot Nikka, Mahmoodabad, and surrounding areas, entire families were forced to escape collapsing homes and rising waters. Thousands of acres of land were submerged, with hundreds of cattle lost and local infrastructure ruined. Yet, despite the destruction, the impact on human life was significantly limited thanks to Rescue 1122’s non-stop operations.
Rescue teams were on the ground using boats, heavy vehicles, and ambulances to reach villages while floodwaters were still rising. Many villagers trapped on rooftops and in isolated buildings—women cradling children and elderly people struggling to escape—were rescued and moved to safety. In several instances, local residents joined forces with rescue teams, tying ropes and pushing boats in a collective effort to save their neighbors.
According to Umer Akbar Ghumman, the district incharge of Rescue 1122 in Gujrat, the flood created a “total emergency,” with every call to the department’s control room treated as life-threatening. He described how rescuers worked beyond their official hours, deploying 19 specialized vehicles with boats and over two dozen support vehicles to the affected areas, stretching resources to the limit but never giving up.
Firsthand accounts from affected communities supported these claims. In Mahmoodabad, despite the local health clinic being submerged, Rescue 1122 was the first to reach and evacuate women and children. In Shahbazpur, after a dyke broke and flooded six villages, many families stranded on rooftops were rescued just in time. Residents of Kot Nikka recalled the devastating loss of livestock but credited the emergency service with saving human lives when no other help was available.
Rescue officials also acknowledged the critical assistance provided by local residents, many of whom volunteered to help carry stretchers, maneuver boats, and distribute food to trapped families.
While many in Gujrat now face significant financial losses from the destruction, there is widespread agreement that the timely actions of Rescue 1122 prevented the disaster from becoming a greater human tragedy. The community’s gratitude for these life-saving efforts has become a rare point of consensus in the district.
