Drone helps douse stubble fire

The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) responded to a crop residue burning incident, using its surveillance system to help firefighters douse the blaze within minutes.

According to a PSCA spokesperson, the incident was reported from Maulana Shaukat Ali Road via Emergency Helpline 15. The caller used the "Connect to Safe City" feature, which converted the citizen's mobile phone into a live camera feed linked to the Safe City Control Room.

Operators immediately assessed the situation through the live visuals. Upon observing the intensity of the fire, the control room dispatched a drone to the area for aerial monitoring, while Rescue 1122 teams were alerted on an emergency basis.

Rescue personnel reached the location and succeeded in extinguishing the fire. The operation was continuously monitored through the drone's live feed at the control room, the spokesperson added. PSCA officials said the authority's integrated surveillance system is playing a "critical role" in identifying and preventing activities that contribute to smog and air pollution.

The spokesperson urged citizens to immediately report any suspicious or environmentally harmful activity to the Helpline 15.