The Punjab government has issued guidelines for police and district administrations to protect lives, livestock, vital installations, and public order as the threat of flooding remains high due to expected heavy rainfall.
Under the guidelines, police across the province have been directed to take preventive measures against theft, looting, burglary, cattle theft, robbery, harassment, fraud, illegal occupation of evacuated houses and exploitation of affected families.
Effective patrolling will be arranged in evacuated and partially evacuated localities.
The government has also ordered security for key installations, including barrages, bridges, embankments, grid stations, hospitals, police stations, government buildings, warehouses, communication towers, water supply schemes and other critical infrastructure.
Sensitive points will be identified and security arrangements made accordingly.
Police personnel will be briefed in advance about their duties, deployment points and emergency response procedures.
District-level police control rooms will be set up with wireless, telephone and internet facilities, duty staff and updated contact directories of all stakeholders. These control rooms will work round the clock during flood alerts to ensure prompt receipt, verification and sharing of information.
Police have also been told to prevent panic, disorder, road blockages, forced entry into restricted areas and any attempt to exploit the emergency situation.
All police stations, especially those near rivers, canals, hill torrents, nullahs and low-lying areas, have been instructed to prepare a list of vulnerable points and flood-prone settlements. Officials will physically visit these locations.
District police officers, in coordination with revenue and irrigation staff, will assess ground risks, evacuation needs and the availability of flood-fighting equipment.
Necessary equipment, including vehicles, boats, life jackets, ropes, searchlights, raincoats, first-aid kits, dozers, excavators, generators and other emergency tools, will be checked and kept in working condition.
Any shortage in equipment must be reported immediately to the district administration for timely action.
All machinery, vehicles, boats, communication sets, generators and emergency equipment will be tested in advance. Damaged or outdated equipment will be repaired, replaced or arranged through the relevant departments before any emergency arises.
The province will also assess the need for trained staff, boat operators, drivers, wireless operators, rescue assistants and police personnel for flood duty. Where extra manpower, volunteers or private resources are needed, arrangements will be finalised with backup plans.
Wireless systems and control rooms set up by the Irrigation Department will be linked with police control rooms for the timely exchange of information on water levels, breaches, expected flood flows and possible danger points.
Police reserves will be identified and kept on standby for vulnerable points, evacuation routes, relief camps, embankments, bridges, barrages, public buildings and sensitive installations.
Leave during the flood season will not be granted to essential staff except in extreme emergencies. District police officers will ensure adequate force for emergency response, control room duty, camp security, patrolling, traffic management and rescue assistance.
District police will also assist civil administration in the timely evacuation of people from flood-prone areas. Special attention will be given to women, children, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, patients and livestock owners.
Evacuation routes will be kept clear, secure and properly guided by police personnel.
Police will coordinate with deputy commissioners for the transport, escort, storage and distribution of relief goods. They will ensure that relief items are transported and distributed in an orderly manner without theft, mismanagement or disturbance.
Security cover will also be provided to rescue teams, health teams, livestock teams, district administration officials, volunteers and machinery deployed for rescue or embankment protection.
Unnecessary public gatherings near dangerous points will be discouraged.
Divisional police chiefs have been told to personally supervise flood preparedness in their regions, while district police officers must verify arrangements at vulnerable points and relief camp sites. Sub-divisional officers and station house officers will remain in the field and be responsible for timely response within their areas.
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