At least seven people were killed and several others went missing after flash floods swept away tourists along the Swat River in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Friday. Triggered by intense pre-monsoon rains, the floods struck while the victims were picnicking in the popular tourist region. According to Shah Fahad, spokesperson for the provincial emergency service, nearly 100 rescuers have been deployed in multiple teams to locate the missing individuals. Among the dead or missing are 16 members from the same family. So far, seven people have been rescued and seven bodies recovered following hours-long efforts.
Dramatic videos circulating on social media showed a group of people stranded on a small elevated spot in the middle of the river, crying for help as floodwaters rapidly surged around them. Authorities have repeatedly warned tourists and locals to avoid venturing near rivers and streams due to the risk of flash flooding in the Swat Valley, a region that draws tens of thousands of visitors year-round. Elsewhere, at least 10 people were killed in separate rain-related incidents in the eastern Punjab and southern Sindh provinces over the last 24 hours, rescue officials confirmed.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and instructed relevant authorities to strengthen safety measures near rivers and streams. Heavy rains have battered parts of Pakistan throughout the week, blocking roads and damaging homes. While monsoon season typically lasts from July to September, meteorologists warn that rains will continue in the coming days. However, they expect less rainfall compared to 2022, when devastating, climate-induced floods submerged nearly one-third of Pakistan, claiming 1,739 lives.
