At least ten people, including several women and children, have lost their lives after sudden flash floods swept them away in the Swat River during a family picnic. Dozens were caught off guard when heavy rains upstream triggered a rapid surge in river water, sweeping away 19 individuals—three of whom have been rescued alive, while ten bodies have been recovered and search efforts for the remaining three continue fervently.
The victims belonged mainly to families visiting from Sialkot and Mardan, who gathered near the bypass road to enjoy breakfast by the riverbank. As water levels unexpectedly rose, rescue teams—including local volunteers, Rescue 1122, and the Pakistan Army—rushed to the scene, confronting harsh currents and challenging weather to recover victims and help survivors .
Authorities have declared a state of emergency in the area, issuing urgent directives to avoid riverbanks and deploy search operations across five key locations. Roughly 80 personnel are actively involved, using rafts and diving units to scour the river for missing individuals .
The Deputy Commissioner of Swat confirmed ten fatalities and emphasized ongoing efforts to locate the missing three. A formal inquiry has been initiated to determine the causes of the tragedy and assess whether proper safety measures or warnings were in place. State officials, including the Prime Minister, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and provincial governor, have expressed deep sorrow and instructed accelerated rescue responses.
This disaster highlights the urgent need for public awareness and enforcement of Section 144, which prohibits approaching rivers during heavy rains. Despite repeated warnings, tourists continue to frequent vulnerable riverbanks, placing lives at risk .
With Pakistan’s monsoon season just beginning, the NDMA has issued weather alerts for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh. Communities, particularly in flood-prone valleys like Swat, are being urged to stay alert, avoid risky areas, and closely follow government advisories.
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