BY Adnan Bacha
Swat: A tragic incident struck the Fizagat Bypass area of Swat on the morning of June 27, around 8:00 AM, when a sudden surge in river water swept away a group of tourists who had stopped for breakfast by the riverbank. The tourists, from Sialkot and Mardan, were caught off guard as the water level rose rapidly, trapping them midstream. Before rescue teams could reach the scene, they were swept away by a powerful flash flood.
According to Rescue 1122, of the 18 people caught in the flood, three were rescued alive, while nine bodies have been recovered. A search operation is ongoing for the remaining six.
“Search operations are underway in various locations, including Manyar, Ghaligey, Odigram, and other affected areas. So far, a total of 57 people have been rescued across the district,” a Rescue 1122 spokesperson said.
Other parts of Swat — including Imam Dherai, Matta, and Panjigram — were also affected, with dozens more caught in the sudden flooding. In total, around 80 people were impacted by the disaster. Rescue efforts continue for those still missing.
Commissioner of Malakand Division, Abid Wazir, said that a high alert had already been issued following directives from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), and Section 144 was imposed to ban bathing and sitting near riverbanks.
“It is deeply saddening to lose precious lives in such a tragic incident. Rescue teams, police, district administration, and local volunteers are actively participating in relief and recovery operations,” he said.
Swat has increasingly faced the impacts of climate change, including rising instances of extreme weather events. The catastrophic floods of 2010 and 2022 caused widespread damage across the region. Authorities have once again issued a high alert, urging the public to exercise caution in the coming days.
Expressing sorrow over the loss of life, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister Fazal Hakim pledged accountability.
“Those responsible for this tragedy will face the strictest action. There are serious questions about the timeliness of the administration’s and rescue services’ response. Anyone found negligent will be held accountable,” he said.
Environmental expert Muhammad Hafiz warned that unchecked environmental degradation is compounding the risk of such disasters.
“No meaningful action has been taken to mitigate the impacts of global warming in Swat. Illegal stone-crushing activities and land encroachments have severely damaged the river’s natural boundaries. If the government continues to delay action, the consequences could be disastrous,” he said.
In response to the incident, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has taken notice and ordered the immediate suspension of several officials for negligence. According to the CM’s spokesperson, Faraz Ahmed Mughal, the Assistant Commissioner of Babuzai was suspended for a delayed response, while the Assistant Commissioner of Khwazakhela was removed for failing to issue timely warnings. The Additional Deputy Commissioner for Relief and the District Head of Rescue 1122 have also been suspended for inadequate preparedness and poor coordination.
The author is Swat based journalist.
