In a tragic incident in Swat, 18 people who were stranded in the river near the Mingora Bypass have drowned. According to initial reports, local sources say the victims were tourists visiting Swat who were swept away by the strong current.
Director General Rescue 1122, Shah Fahad, confirmed that so far, five bodies have been recovered, and search operations are ongoing at five different sites. A total of 80 personnel are involved in the operation. Despite the powerful water flow, Rescue 1122’s relief efforts continue. Preliminary reports suggest that the tourists were from Punjab. One person has been rescued alive during the operation.
Meanwhile, the Irrigation Department has issued flood warnings at four locations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A high-level flood has been recorded in the Swat River at Khwazakhela, while low-level flooding has been observed at Tarbela, Warsak, and Adenzai.
Between June 20 and 23, heavy monsoon rains, lightning strikes, and collapsing walls led to the deaths of six people and injuries to five others in various areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the PDMA report, the deceased included three men, one woman, and two children, while the injured comprised three men and two women.
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The rains and stormy conditions also damaged a total of seven houses — five partially and two completely destroyed. These incidents were reported in districts including Mansehra, Buner, Lower and Upper Dir, Malakand, and Kolai-Palas Kohistan.
Another Dangerous Spell of Moonsoon Begins
PDMA spokesperson Anwar Shehzad told TNN that heavy rains are expected in most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from the evening of June 26 to July 1. An official notification has been issued and sent to district administrations across the province, advising them to remain prepared for any emergencies.
Anwar Shehzad said that some districts could also experience heavy downpours and hailstorms, raising concerns over possible glacier bursts in northern areas. The vulnerable districts include Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, Upper Swat, and Kohistan, where local populations have been placed on high alert.
District administrations have been instructed to stock emergency supplies and utilize available resources in advance. Tourists have been advised to follow safety protocols and avoid unnecessary travel. The emergency operations center remains active, and the public has been asked to report any untoward incident by calling 1700.
What's the Current Situation in Swat Amid Recent Rains?
Rainfall in Swat continues intermittently, causing urban flooding in several areas of Mingora city, including Haji Baba, Mullah Baba, Landikas, Amankot, and Qambar City Center. Water is flowing through streets and roads and has entered homes and markets in several places.
According to climate journalist Arif Ahmad, who is based in Swat, the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have warned of possible Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in northern regions. Monsoon rains combined with western weather systems have heightened the risk of GLOFs, potentially damaging link roads and bridges in Swat and other areas.
He added that areas in Upper Swat such as Kalam, Utror, Paloga, Mankial, Bahrain, Madain, and Matta are under threat from flooding, landslides, and overflowing streams. In Lower Swat, hotels and restaurants along the Mingora Bypass are once again at risk, as is the case every year. Urban flooding has also gripped inner city areas like Makan Bagh, Landikas, Mullah Baba, Amankot, and now Qambar City Center.
The district administration has put rescue teams on high alert, imposed a complete ban on swimming in the river, and appealed to the public to avoid going near rivers and streams.
Arif Ahmad noted that even in mountainous and tourist regions like Swat, weather patterns are clearly changing. This year, the intensity of heat has been higher than in previous years, and this trend seems to be worsening annually.
Due to the extreme heat, glaciers in Upper Swat are melting at an accelerated rate, leading to an unusual increase in the Swat River’s water flow. These environmental changes are clearly evident, which is why the administration has strictly banned swimming in the river, as recent days have seen a significant rise in drowning incidents.
Climate Change: A Grim Reality
On June 23, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its report titled "The State of the Climate in Asia 2024". The report states that Asia is warming at nearly twice the global average, resulting in intensified weather extremes and severe impacts on the region’s economies, ecosystems, and communities. One consequence of this warming is the heightened risk of flooding due to intense rainfall.
A previous study titled "Alarming Heatwave 2024" revealed that during the month of June alone, around 700 people died in Sindh due to the extreme heatwave — with most of the deaths reported in Karachi.
Similarly, according to The Guardian, over 50,000 people died across Europe in 2023 due to heatwaves intensified by carbon pollution, with the highest number of fatalities in Greece, Italy, and Spain.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also declared climate change the leading cause of environment-related deaths in Europe.
These developments serve as a grave reminder of the climate crisis already unfolding across the globe, with Pakistan among the countries most vulnerable to its consequences.
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