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A decisive order by Principal Saeed Ahmad on Friday ensured the safety of nearly 900 students just minutes before floodwaters destroyed their school in Swat.
The principal noticed rising water levels in a nearby stream around 9 a.m. and immediately ordered the evacuation of the school, which has nearly 950 enrolled students.
Within 15 minutes, all students and teachers had safely left the building. Soon after, the floods swept through, destroying half of the school, including its boundary walls and playground.
Local officials confirmed that around 900 students were present at the time, and the timely evacuation prevented a major loss of life. The school was one of dozens of educational institutions destroyed as severe floods have devastated several districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claiming over 350 lives in the past three days.
Ahmad, who has served as principal for 12 years, acted with caution based on previous experience, recalling that the same building had been destroyed in floods in 1995. That earlier incident helped him recognize the danger and prioritize evacuation.
Authorities noted that this year’s monsoon has been significantly stronger than last year, with 50 to 60 percent more rainfall, and warned that two to three more spells of heavy rain are expected until early September.