SWAT VALLEY: Flash floods triggered by recent heavy rains have claimed the lives of at least 11 people in Swat Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while several individuals remain missing.
Local rescue services report that rising water in the Swat River quickly swept away tourists picnicking along the banks. More than a dozen were caught in the surge, with many fleeing to higher ground as floodwaters rose without warning.
Locations such as Fiza Gat, Bypass, Manyar, and Khwazakhela saw the most damage. In Fiza Gat alone, ten tourists—including women and children—were swept away, and two bodies have since been recovered. At the Bypass area, authorities retrieved four bodies and rescued three survivors. A separate incident involved the collapse of a roof in Khwazakhela during the deluge, resulting in the death of a seven-year-old girl.
Rescue teams, including specialized emergency units, have searched multiple sites and evacuated around 22 people stranded in Mardan, with additional operations underway in nearby regions.
Residents living near rivers and streams have been advised to move to safer locations as water levels remain dangerously high. Authorities are conducting more searches, and the possibility of further casualties remains a concern.
The heavy monsoon rains have also caused fatalities elsewhere in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with additional deaths reported in Punjab and Sindh over the same period. Regional officials are urging vigilance and readiness as the rainy season intensifies.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.
