63-Page Report of Swat River Tragedy Shows Multiple Mistakes by Departments

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has directed strict action against officials from various government departments for their negligence that contributed to the deaths of over a dozen individuals during last month’s flash flood in the Swat River.

The tragic incident occurred on June 27, when at least 14 people, including 10 from one family, were swept away by a sudden flood triggered by heavy rains.

Following the disaster, the CM had constituted a committee to investigate the incident and assign responsibility. The findings revealed serious lapses by the district administration, irrigation department, local government authorities, and Rescue 1122, according to an official statement from the CM Secretariat.

The report, prepared by the Provincial Inspection Team (PIT), runs 63 pages and states that weather alerts issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and district authorities were not effectively executed.

Key Failings Identified

• Lack of coordination among police, rescue services, irrigation, and other departments.
• Failure of early warning systems, resulting in delayed alerts.
• Hotels did not inform tourists about the risks near the river.
• Rescue 1122 responded late and lacked trained staff and adequate equipment.
• No defined responsibilities between departments for riverside safety.
• Absence of risk classification for river-adjacent tourist spots.
• No SOPs at the district level to ensure public safety during monsoons.
• Weak enforcement of Section 144, which could have prevented river entry.
• Vague and inconsistent regulations enable illegal riverfront construction.

Disciplinary Measures and Reforms

The departments involved have been ordered to initiate disciplinary action against responsible officials and complete proceedings within 60 days.

Additionally, the report recommends:

• Enacting new legislation to regulate construction near rivers.
• Introducing clear safety protocols and regulatory reforms within 30 days.
• Developing building safety codes and enforcing both new and existing laws.
• Forming an oversight committee led by the KP Chief Secretary to monitor compliance.
• Converting PIT recommendations into performance benchmarks.
• Launching a comprehensive public awareness campaign during the monsoon season.
• Including river safety modules in the upcoming monsoon contingency plan.
• Enhancing the capacity of Rescue 1122 with training and equipment.

Post-Incident Response

In response to the findings, the government launched a province-wide operation to clear river encroachments:

• 127 illegal structures sealed
• Over 682 kanals of unlawful construction demolished
• 1,874 kanals of encroached land identified; 1,019 kanals cleared
• 609 km of riverbeds marked
• 174 safety barriers installed

The Chief Minister has emphasized the importance of urgent reforms and accountability to prevent such tragedies in the future.