Swat River Tragedy: Negligence and Illegal Mining Blamed as Death Toll Climbs

The number of confirmed fatalities in the Swat River catastrophe has reached 12. Journalist Mehboob Ali, during a television appearance, attributed the disaster to failures in administration, illicit riverbed excavation, and insufficient regulatory enforcement.

On Friday, a family of 17 from Sialkot was caught in a sudden and powerful current in the Swat River while enjoying a picnic close to the shore. Videos depicted the family trapped on a diminishing land area, desperately seeking aid, but no assistance arrived for nearly an hour.

To date, a dozen bodies have been recovered, with the latest being a child discovered in Charsadda on Sunday. One individual is still unaccounted for.

Ali noted that the recent floods, while less severe than those of 2010 and 2022, inflicted substantial damage. The unusual origin of the surge in Khwazakhela, Manglor, and Malam Jabba, rather than the typical upstream areas of Kalam or Bahrain, exacerbated the destruction.

He asserted that the administration’s failure to issue prompt alerts and instruct people to evacuate to safer areas early on resulted in preventable loss of life.

Ali further cautioned that the unrestricted and unlawful extraction of minerals along the Swat River has altered its inherent course. He stated, “Individuals are extracting gravel and sand from the river unlawfully, in plain sight of authorities, using heavy machinery or shovels, yet no action is taken.”

“The formation of craters and pits within the riverbed, along with the creation of mounds and small hills, impedes the flow of water,” he elaborated, emphasizing that such interruptions can trigger abrupt surges during flood events.

The rescue efforts were also hampered by delays and a scarcity of necessary equipment. Despite being situated only 3–4 kilometers from the site, Rescue 1122 reportedly needed 19 minutes to reach the location. The team lacked vital tools like boats and ropes, necessitating an equipment order that arrived too late.

“Had Rescue arrived promptly with divers, qualified personnel, and readily available boats, lives could undoubtedly have been saved,” Ali commented.

Ali questioned the authorization of construction so near to the river, which contravenes the stipulated 200-foot buffer zone.

While authorities have since initiated measures against illegal structures, Ali urged accountability for the officials responsible for issuing NOCs and construction permits in the first place, asking, “Where was the administration during the construction of these buildings?”

He also advised that the anti-encroachment campaign be applied fairly. He stated, “The government faces accusations of selectively targeting individuals. Public acceptance of this operation hinges on its impartial execution, irrespective of wealth or influence.”

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has since launched a comprehensive operation targeting encroachments and has outlawed all mining activities within riverbeds.

KP Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah stated that a complete prohibition has been enforced on all forms of mining activities along riverbeds. He further declared that a coordinated crackdown would commence on all encroachments, including hotels illegally erected on or adjacent to riverbanks.