PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN — At least 22 people have lost their lives and 11 others have been injured across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) since June 25 as torrential rains, flash floods, strong winds, and landslides continue to batter the province, according to a report issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Sunday.
The ongoing monsoon spell has caused widespread destruction in multiple districts including Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Chitral, Buner, Swabi, Kurram, Charsadda, Malakand, Shangla, Lower Dir, Torghar, and South Waziristan. The PDMA warned that rain is expected to persist until July 1, raising fears of more flash floods and landslides.
Swat remains the worst-hit district where 14 people have been confirmed dead and six others injured. A sudden surge in the Swat River swept away 18 individuals, most of whom were tourists. Rescue teams recovered 12 bodies, while the search continues for one child who remains missing.
The PDMA report detailed that among the deceased were seven men, five women, and ten children. Of the injured, six are men, four are women, and one is a child. A total of 75 houses have also been damaged across the province — 64 partially and 11 completely destroyed.
The authority has directed local administrations to provide immediate relief, including medical support and compensation for affected families.
Rescue officials have been combing the Swat River for four consecutive days, particularly around the Swat bypass, Kanju, and Brikot, to locate the last missing child swept away in the flash floods.
Adviser to the Chief Minister on Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, addressing the media, confirmed that 80 people were rescued during the flash floods. He assured that action would be taken against those responsible for the drowning incident and the inadequate response.
Saif added that the provincial government will take “indiscriminate” action against illegal encroachments along the Swat River, which have exacerbated flood risks. He also noted that while KP possesses an air ambulance, it lacks the equipment needed for airborne rescue operations and could not be deployed in the bad weather and rugged terrain.
“Sending the helicopter into such conditions would have caused another disaster,” he said, defending the decision not to deploy air support.
Public outrage erupted in Swat over what many described as an inadequate and delayed response from rescue teams. On Saturday, civil society groups, political activists, lawyers, and traders staged a protest at Nishat Chowk in Mingora. The Swat Olasi Pasoon and others accused local authorities of failing to act in time, resulting in preventable deaths.
Demonstrators demanded the establishment of a modern, well-equipped rescue system with helicopter support and an early flood warning mechanism. Protesters also raised concerns over unregulated riverbed mining, which they argue has altered the Swat River’s natural course and worsened flooding risks.
They called for accountability, improved disaster preparedness, and a comprehensive overhaul of safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.
In response to mounting criticism, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur expressed sorrow over the deaths and announced financial compensation for the victims’ families. He also ordered his inspection team to probe the incident.
The government has suspended three officials from the Swat district administration and one from the Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Department in connection with the tragedy.
Barrister Saif, meanwhile, deflected some criticism by linking political opponents’ calls for the chief minister’s resignation to alleged negligence in other provinces, such as Sindh, implying political opportunism amid the tragedy.
The PDMA has issued alerts to district administrations, urging them to remain on high alert and implement preventive measures as the monsoon spell continues. The agency is monitoring the situation closely and coordinating with local authorities to ensure timely response and relief efforts.
As climate change continues to intensify weather patterns across the region, the recent events in Swat have once again highlighted the urgent need for better infrastructure, disaster response systems, and environmental regulation to protect lives and livelihoods.
