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At least nine bodies have been recovered after Swat River flash floods swept away several people on Friday following days of heavy monsoon rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat district, as reported by local media.
According to media reports, the rescue 1122 spokesperson confirmed that 16 people were initially reported missing in the floods. So far, nine bodies have been recovered and three individuals have been rescued alive.
Heavy rainfall triggered the sudden surge in river flow, flooding surrounding areas. Several people were left stranded in multiple localities as a result of the unexpected flash floods.
Three bodies were recovered from Ingaroderai area near Mingora while another was found in Ghalegay. In Ghalegy alone, seven individuals were reported stranded as rescue operations remained underway into the evening.
At least 10 more people reportedly drowned near the Bypass Relax Hotel. Rescue officials said operations were ongoing to retrieve bodies and search for any survivors.
Rescue 1122 deployed 120 personnel across the district. In Imam Dhirai, 22 trapped people were safely evacuated by teams from Rescue Station 33, according to the department’s field report.
In Manyar, seven people were reported to be stranded. Joint operations by Rescue Stations 44 and 55 are actively ongoing in the area to ensure timely evacuation.
One person trapped in Panjigram village is also being assisted by an emergency team. Elsewhere, 20 to 30 people were rescued from Bara Bamakhela during intense operations.
“All rescue teams are present and continuing efforts on the ground,” Rescue 1122 said in a statement. Emergency units are working around the clock despite challenging terrain and weather.
A flood alert was issued by Charsadda Deputy Commissioner Qaiser Khan, warning of very high flood levels in River Swat, with discharge reaching over 77,000 cusecs at Khwazakela.
DC Khan said teams were deployed along River Swat and River Kabul. Mosque loudspeakers were used to warn citizens to evacuate and seek shelter in safer locations.
Meanwhile, PPP Senator and former climate minister Sherry Rehman emphasized that the disaster was not random. She linked the incident to climate change and extreme monsoon patterns in the region.
Rehman said early warnings were issued but ignored by the public. She stressed that Pakistan must recognize the connection between such disasters and human-driven global climate change.
Calling it a “deadly impact of climate stress,” she urged local administrations and citizens alike to take early alerts seriously and prepare proactively for extreme weather events.
The situation in Swat remains critical as rescue efforts continue. Officials are monitoring water levels closely, especially near the Munda headworks, and further alerts may be issued.
