Stars Mourn Swat Flash Flood Victims, Call for Accountability and Disaster Preparedness
SWAT / KARACHI:
As Pakistan grapples with the tragic aftermath of flash floods in Swat that claimed at least 17 lives, including several children and young adults, celebrities across the country have voiced grief and anger—demanding urgent reforms and accountability.
The devastating incident unfolded near Mingora on Friday morning, where families gathered for breakfast by the river. A sudden and powerful surge in the Swat River, following two days of heavy rain, swept away a group of tourists. Distressing footage of the incident—showing stranded individuals clinging to rocks—went viral on social media, sparking a wave of outrage.
Singer and actor Hadiqa Kiani was among the first to respond:
“Shocked and incredibly saddened… We need systems that prevent this. We need leadership.”
In a second post, she strongly criticized the authorities:
“No weather alerts? No enforced warnings? The system failed us once again. These innocent lives were lost to negligence.”
Cricketer Naseem Shah echoed the sentiments, expressing heartbreak over the loss in “our beautiful Swat.”
Actors Zara Noor Abbas, Shaista Lodhi, Yasir Hussain, and Aiman Khan also shared their condolences, with Aiman reminding followers:
“Please avoid going to rivers in monsoon.”
Yashma Gill, shaken by the footage, wrote:
“It breaks my heart. A picnic turned into a tragedy. Please check weather and flood updates before travelling in monsoon.”
A Preventable Tragedy?
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the river reached a “very high flood” state with over 77,000 cusecs of discharge. The victims, mostly tourists from Sialkot and Mardan, were caught off-guard by the rising waters near the Mingora bypass. Many were swept away within minutes. Ten people are still missing.
Eyewitnesses said the tourists were stranded for over an hour before rescue teams arrived. Local resident Muhammad Hilal managed to rescue three individuals himself.
Despite a flood warning issued earlier by PDMA, critics say no restrictions were enforced to keep people away from the riverbank. Many are now questioning why Section 144 wasn’t implemented, which could have potentially saved lives.
In response to public outcry, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced:
- An investigation by the CM Inspection Team
- Suspension of four local officials
- Compensation for victims’ families
He also acknowledged the need for improved early warning systems and enforcement mechanisms.
As search operations continue and the country mourns, the spotlight has once again turned toward Pakistan’s chronic lack of disaster preparedness. Many now demand lasting reforms—not just condolences.
