- Negligence of the administration, mining for a disaster.
- No alert in a timely manner issued before the rise in deadly water.
- The illegal extraction has changed the natural river from the Swat river.
Swat: While the number of deaths of the Swat river tragedy has increased to 12, questions emerged on administrative failures, the illegal exploitation of the river bed and delayed rescue operations that may have aggravated the disaster.
The incident occurred on Friday when 17 members of a Sialkot family were swept away by sudden pushing in the Swat river while they bite near the shore. Expensive videos broadcast on social networks have shown that the family was failed on an island of earth in rapid narrowing, calling for help for almost an hour without an immediate rescue in sight.
Until now, 12 bodies have been recovered, including that of a child found in Charsadda on Sunday. Research is still in progress because a person remains missing.
Although this year’s flood has not reached the extent of the devastation observed in 2010 or 2022, the damage was significant. Crue waters have increased in areas such as Khwazakhela, Manglor and Malam Jabba – regions not generally associated with the initial river climb – leading to unexpected and dangerous conditions downstream.
Observers underline the authorities’ failure to issue alerts in a timely manner as a key factor. If early warnings had been communicated and residents directed to safer places, it is believed that some lives could have been spared.
Illegal river bed muis
The illegal exploitation along the Swat river is also under control. Unregulated excavation of gravel and sand from the river bed has seriously changed its natural course.
The use of heavy machines has led to the formation of pits and mounds in the river, obstructing water flow and potentially contributing to dangerous overvoltages during floods.
These activities would have continued in sight, which raises concerns concerning the application of regulations.
Delayed rescue, lack of equipment
The rescue operation itself was also criticized. Despite being parked just 3 to 4 kilometers from the site, the RESCUE 1122 teams would have taken 19 minutes to arrive and would have been poorly equipped, lacking boats, ropes and trained divers. The equipment had to be ordered during the operation, arriving too late to make a significant difference.
In addition, attention has turned into encroachments along the shore. Critics asked for how the structures were authorized to be built within 200 feet of the river, in violation of security regulations.
Although the government has since launched a repression of these illegal constructions, there are calls for responsibility against those responsible who have issued non-objection (NOC) certificates and construction permits.
Stacks, violations interviewed
Concerns have also been raised on the equity of the anti-angle campaign, with accusations that the application can be selective. Observers point out that for the operation to be effective and accepted by the public, it must be carried out without bias, regardless of the socioeconomic or political status of affected persons.
In response to the incident, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa imposed a complete ban on mining along the rivers beds and launched an operation across the province to eliminate illegal structures.
The KP chief secretary, Shahab Ali Shah, has announced that repression extend to all unauthorized constructions, including hotels built too close to rivers, as part of a wider effort to prevent future tragedies.
The authorities are now under increased pressure to solve the systemic problems that have contributed to the fatal incident and to implement reforms that prioritize security and responsibility.
