At least 11 people have died and six others injured following sudden flash floods in Swat and Malakand districts, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), on June 27, 2025, local officials confirmed. Rescue teams and authorities are working around the clock to locate missing individuals, making it one of the region’s worst flash-flood disasters so far this monsoon season
The floods struck early Friday as relentless heavy rains rapidly swelled the Swat River.
According to PDMA KP and Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Faizi, 16 people initially went missing after being swept away by powerful currents. By midday, nine bodies had been recovered and three individuals rescued; the search continues for at least four others
Among the fatalities, 10 occurred in Swat, while one person lost their life in Malakand, the PDMA report indicated. A staggering 56 homes in Swat were damaged, and roughly 120 people were trapped by floodwaters, of which 107 have since been rescued.
Massive Rescue Effort Underway
A total of 120 personnel from Rescue 1122 have been deployed across multiple hot spots, including Ingaroderai, Ghalegy, Imam Dhirai, Manyar, Panjigram, and Bara Bamakhela. In one operation, 22 stranded individuals in Imam Dhirai were rescued by Station 33 teams. Additional squads from Stations 44 and 55 continue efforts in other swamped areas. Local police also joined the rescue efforts amid soaring river levels. The Charsadda Deputy Commissioner, Qaiser Khan, issued a flood alert after the Swat River’s discharge reached approximately 77,782 cubic feet per second—categorized as very high. Mosque loudspeakers and public advisories have been used to warn communities in low-lying areas.
Official Response and Suspensions
Following the tragedy, KP’s Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah temporarily suspended several district-level administrative officials, including the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Swat and Assistant Commissioners in Babuzai and Khwazakhela, citing “untoward incidents” amid the disaster response.
The PDMA office also cautioned residents and tourists against approaching riverbanks and urged them to steer clear of water during intense rainfall.
Climate Change Connected to Recurring Risks
Prominent figures like Senator Sherry Rehman have voiced concerns linking frequent flash floods to climate stress. She noted these floods are symptomatic of supercharged monsoon rains exacerbated by climate change, and called for improved early warning systems and public awareness in vulnerable provinces.
What to Expect Next
Rescue 1122 and civil defense teams remain on high alert as monsoon rains are expected to persist. Authorities are preparing evacuation plans and shelter arrangements for at-risk populations. PDMA continues monitoring water levels at critical points, pre-positioning staff and emergency supplies.
Final Takeaway
The tragedy in Swat underscores the region’s vulnerability to flash flooding amid changing climate patterns. While rescue efforts have saved many, the loss of life remains a heart-wrenching reminder of the need for climate adaptation, robust infrastructure, and effective disaster response in Pakistan’s flood-prone zones.