Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shahab Ali Shah, admitted major failures in rescue operations after a deadly flash flood swept through the Swat River on Friday. The disaster claimed at least ten lives, most of them tourists from Punjab.
Speaking to the media near Mingora on Saturday, Shah said that authorities had a 45-minute window to act. He called it “a small mistake that turned into a major tragedy.” He confirmed the suspension of Rescue 1122’s district in-charge and promised accountability for all departments involved — including police, civil administration, and rescue units.
The provincial government has announced compensation of Rs1.5 million for each victim’s family.
The flash flood hit early Friday morning. Families from different areas, including Daska in Punjab, were having breakfast on a dry riverbed near the Swat Bypass. Suddenly, a strong surge of floodwaters rushed in, dragging over a dozen people into the river.
Rescue officials reported that around 70 people were stranded by the river surge caused by glacial melt and rainfall. Both factors are being linked to shifting climate conditions. Out of the 70, fifty-five were rescued on the first day. Ten bodies have been recovered so far, and three people are still missing as search efforts continue into the second day.
Bilal Faizi, the spokesperson for Rescue 1122, explained the challenges. He said the rocky riverbed made boat operations impossible. “The current was too strong. Sharp stones made it dangerous. There was no time to use a helicopter,” he added.
An official inquiry is now underway. Authorities have promised a full report to the Chief Minister within seven days.
Two more bodies were discovered near Barikot, further downstream. All the recovered victims have been sent to their home towns using ambulances arranged by the local government.
Environmental experts say such rapid flooding events are becoming more frequent. Rising temperatures and faster glacial melt are making northern areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa increasingly vulnerable to sudden floods and deluges.
