SWAT, Jun 30 (Alliance News): As the death toll from the Swat River tragedy reached 12, serious questions have been raised over poor administrative response, illegal riverbed mining, and delayed rescue efforts that may have worsened the disaster.
The heartbreaking incident took place on Friday when 17 members of a family from Sialkot were swept away by a sudden surge in the Swat River while picnicking near its bank.
Videos posted online showed the family trapped on a shrinking patch of land, pleading for help for nearly an hour—with no immediate rescue response.
So far, 12 bodies have been recovered, including that of a child found downstream in Charsadda. Rescue efforts continue as one person remains missing.
Although this year’s flooding has not matched the devastation of 2010 or 2022, the damage has still been significant.
The water reportedly surged from unexpected areas such as Khwazakhela, Manglor, and Malam Jabba—places not typically seen as the river’s danger zones—causing dangerous flooding further downstream.
Lack of Timely Warnings
Local observers blamed the failure to issue early warnings as a key factor in the loss of life. They believe that timely alerts could have directed people to safer areas and potentially saved lives.
Illegal Riverbed Mining Under Scrutiny
Illegal mining in the riverbed is also being blamed. Unregulated removal of gravel and sand has changed the natural flow of the river. The use of heavy machinery has created pits and mounds inside the river, which may have contributed to the intensity of the flood surge.
These mining activities reportedly took place openly, raising concerns about the lack of regulatory enforcement by local authorities.
Rescue Operation Criticised
The rescue response is also under heavy criticism. Despite Rescue 1122 being based just 3 to 4 kilometres away, teams reportedly took 19 minutes to reach the scene—and arrived without essential rescue equipment like boats, ropes, or trained divers. Much of the needed equipment had to be arranged during the operation, arriving too late to help.
Encroachments and Violations
Another key issue under debate is the illegal construction along the riverbanks. Critics question how structures were allowed to be built within 200 feet of the river—clearly against safety laws. Although the government has now started removing these encroachments, public demands are growing for accountability against those who issued the illegal permits and No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
Concerns are also being raised about fairness in the anti-encroachment drive. Observers say that unless the campaign is implemented fairly—without favour to the politically connected or wealthy—it will lack credibility and public support.
Government Response
Following the tragedy, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has imposed a complete ban on riverbed mining and launched a province-wide operation to demolish illegal riverside structures.
KP Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah said the action would apply to all unauthorised buildings, including hotels built too close to rivers, as part of efforts to avoid future disasters.
The provincial administration is now facing increasing pressure to fix the deeper issues that led to the incident—by improving early warning systems, regulating mining, properly training rescue teams, and enforcing construction laws without bias.
