After extreme flooding in the district reached an out-of-control level due to record rains, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa declared an emergency in Swat.
Geo News reported on Friday that provincial authorities are having a hard time retrieving affected families from the hill stations of Swat, Dir, and Chitral.
A notification from the KP relief department stated that the state of emergency would remain in effect until August 30 for relief efforts in flood-affected areas of Swat.
Mahmood Khan, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has issued an order to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to speed up relief efforts in the area, including the delivery of food, clothing, and other necessities to those in need.
Matta, Sukhra, and Lalko’s communication bridges have also been damaged, according to the district administration.
As a result of the flooding, the Mingora Bypass has been closed to traffic and several hotels and restaurants have been flooded.
Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner of Nowshera reported that public and private schools had been closed for two days due to flooding.
The rain and flash floods in Kalam have completely wiped out a brand new hotel.
Flood levels in the River Swat at Khawazakhela point and its tributaries/nullahs have risen to a dangerous 227,899 cusecs, according to a flood advisory issued by the KP Provincial Emergency Operations Centre on Friday.
“Immediately identify vulnerable points and communities at risk to devise mitigation and safety measures” has been issued to the deputy commissioners of Swat, Lower Dir, Malakand, Mohmand, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, and Peshawar.
The centre urged residents of riverbank communities to be aware of the rising water levels and to “maintain enhanced alert level” and “monitor the developing situation” to cut down on response times.
