CRUSH:
The sudden floods triggered by a sudden push of the Swat river and other rivers in the district after heavy monsoon rains on Friday cost at least 10 people, while several others remain disappeared, according to provincial rescue and eyewitnesses.
The provincial disaster management authority (PDMA) described the level of flooding as “very high”, while officials said that dozens of people were trapped while the authorities rushed to cope with the consequences of two days of relentless inclination.
The river swallowed dramatically after the torrential rains, sweeping 19 tourists – including women and children – who had gathered on a rocky area along the bank near the derivation road. The rescuers managed to save only three individuals, while 10 bodies were recovered later in the day.
Eye witnesses described a terrifying scene: the water increased quickly and surrounded the tourists in a few moments, not leaving them time to escape. The victims belonged to two families who had traveled to the popular tourist destination of Sialkot and Mardan.
Rescue 1122, in coordination with the administration of the district and the local police, transported the bodies to the university hospital of Saidu. The deceased were identified as Umda (18), Muhammad Ayan (7), Rubina (45), Sharmeen (16), Tazmeen (18), Aima (10) and Merab (17) – All of Siackot. Two other victims, Farman and Eshyal, came from Mardan.
In response, the district administration imposed an immediate state of emergency in the region and urged the public to avoid approaching the river. The rescue teams were deployed in key locations, with additional diving units sent to help research and recovery.
According to officials, dozens of people have remained blocked in the areas affected by the floods. The PDMA ranked the situation as “very high alert”, while several people were saved and moved to safer places in Mam Dherai, Ghaligay and other Swat parts.
Media reports, citing senior provincial officials, said 18 people were still missing. A statement published by chief secretary Shehab Ali Shah in Peshawar revealed that more than 75 people were trapped in various places; Among these, 58 had been successfully rescued.
In response to the evolution of the situation, the provincial government, under the directives of chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, created a special flood cell. The PDMA has also issued alerts to the Peshawar, Charsadda and Nowshera authorities to prepare for the potential Swat raw water impact.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow concerning loss of life. The two leaders presented condolences to the bereaved families and asked the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to work closely with local agencies to ensure effective security and rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, the National Operation Center (NEOC) of the NDMA published a notice on the fresh weather, warning of higher rains accompanied by thunderstorms in most regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Swat, Abbottabad, Manshra, Peshawar, Bannu and Waziristan.
The Neoc also provides for a generalized monsoon activity through Punjab and Sindh over the next 48 hours. “Strong rains are expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Tharparkar, Badin, Umerkot and other districts,” said the alert.
The opinion also warned against strong winds and upper and central Punjab showers, notably Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Mianwali.
Urban floods in major cities and landslides in mountainous regions were also probably deemed due to the intensity of the meteorological system.
Retirement turns into a tragedy
An extended family from Daska during a recreational outing near Fizagat in Swat was caught off guard when a sudden push of the river swept 18 tourists, most of them.
The group, led by Abdul Rehman of Daska Kalan, included several family members: Rubeena Kausar, his daughter-in-law; Abdullah (15); Tazmeen (21); Sharmeen (19); Her daughter Fauzia, her husband Mohin, and their daughters Meerab (17), AJWA (15), Ishal (13) and Anfal (9).
Another girl, Ayesha, wife of Shehbaz, was also missing, with their children – Aaima (12), and the sons Ayaan (9), Ziyan (5) and Zohan (3).
The group would have been joined by another family when the sudden floods struck. Standing on the shore, they were captured by the powerful current.
The rescuers, joined by local volunteers, immediately launched research operations.
Among the victims recovered are Meerab, a second year student; AJWA, a matrix student; Eyan (6), son of Shehbaz; a doctor; a maternal cousin; And Tobina Islam, sister-in-law of Mohin.
What started as a joyful summer retirement turned into an unimaginable tragedy. The ruthless current of the river has left a short time to react, and Daska is now in mourning, with whole crying districts the loss of their loved ones.
In response to the tragic loss, Deputy Commissioner Usman Ghani of Daska visited the bereaved families to exercise condolences on behalf of the District Administration.
The devastating incident aroused generalized indignation and sorrow on social networks, citizens calling for the establishment of immediate security protocols along the banks.
There have been increasing requests for awareness and increased regulation in tourist hot spots subject to such natural risks.
