The Swat River tragedy, which claimed 13 lives and exposed severe administrative lapses, has led to a major shake-up in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s bureaucracy. On Tuesday, the provincial government removed the Director General of Rescue K-P and the Director General of the Upper Swat Development Authority following a detailed inquiry into the drowning of tourists on June 27.
Officials Held Responsible
The provincial inspection team blamed the Swat Development Authority for delays and mismanagement. It also flagged the DG Rescue’s lack of technical skill in handling high-risk emergencies. Both officials have been reassigned to non-operational roles, with Rescue DG’s services transferred to the Peshawar Development Authority.
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Report Triggers Disciplinary Action
The action follows a report by the Malakand commissioner, highlighting administrative failures during the rescue efforts. Earlier, six officials had already been suspended over the incident.
The tragedy, which unfolded in Khwazakhela, saw 17 tourists—mostly from Sialkot and Mardan—swept away by a sudden flood. Only four survived. Twelve bodies were recovered, while one person remains missing. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed a drastic surge in river flow, from 6,738 to 77,782 cusecs, within hours.
Poor Planning, Ignored Warnings
Investigations revealed that construction near the river had altered its natural course, misleading tourists with deceptively low water levels. Though Section 144 had been imposed to ban swimming and boating since June 24, enforcement was weak.
Early flood alerts were issued at 8:41am. A distress call came in at 9:45am. But rescue teams didn’t arrive until 10:05am—20 minutes later. A formal flood warning was circulated only at 10:30am, well after the tragedy began.
Rising Concerns Over Tourist Safety
The incident has intensified scrutiny over emergency preparedness during peak tourist season. Eyewitnesses reported that a hotel security guard attempted to stop the tourists, but they accessed the river through an alternate route.
The government’s swift disciplinary action highlights growing pressure to prioritize safety and reform crisis response protocols in tourist hotspots like Swat.
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