Swat – At least three people have been confirmed dead and several others are feared drowned after a powerful flash flood swept through the Swat River on Friday morning. According to rescue officials, the flood was triggered by intense glacial melt, overwhelming parts of the river and sweeping away those nearby.
The incident came just a day after the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a warning about potential glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in five districts: Upper and Lower Chitral, Swat, Upper Dir, and Upper Kohistan. The warning, prompted by rising temperatures and melting glaciers, highlighted the growing threat of climate-induced disasters in the region.
Rescue 1122 has launched a major search and recovery operation, with efforts underway at five different locations along the Swat River. According to Shah Fahad, Director General of KP Rescue 1122, over 80 personnel have been deployed to locate and recover the missing. He confirmed that three bodies have been recovered so far, but strong currents and high water levels are making the operation extremely difficult.
Earlier in the day, Swat Rescue 1122 spokesperson Niaz Khan reported that massive flooding had been witnessed in several areas along the river. He stated that two bodies were initially found and that multiple people were feared drowned. “The water level is extremely high, making rescue work more dangerous and difficult,” Khan said.
This is a developing story. Authorities are continuing their rescue efforts, and updates will be shared as more verified information becomes available. As always, early reports in such situations may contain inaccuracies, but efforts are being made to rely on credible sources and official confirmations.
