ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): On the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has immediately activated the 911 Flood Situation emergency Helpline across the country.
According to the spokesperson, the 911 service will work even if the user’s mobile network towers are affected or inactive in the area.
Under the system, affected citizens will be able to contact 911 for emergency assistance. Citizens should dial 911 for immediate contact in any emergency situation.
The spokesperson stated that this service will automatically connect to an active tower of any company in the nearby area.
He said safe citizens are requested to avoid unnecessary calls so that this facility could be useful for those who need help.
It is worth noting that torrential rains, cloudbursts, and flash floods have caused devastation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, after which more than 250 people lost their lives.
In Buner alone, the natural disaster claimed more than 150 lives, and many people went missing.
After the cloudburst, floods swept away several villages, destroying homes, while animals and vehicles were also swept away in the floodwaters.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed that relief supplies be sent to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on a priority basis in view of the recent rains and flood situation.
911 emergency helpline
The 911 emergency helpline is an initiative of the Pakistan Emergency Helpline (PEHL), which combines all services such as police, fire brigade, health assistance, and disaster recovery under one umbrella.
The system was originally launched in 2022, and has now been reactivated and expanded to meet the demands of the current crisis and provide emergency services to disaster-hit population.
The service is critical for maintaining public safety and management during emergencies.
