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SWAT, Jul 22 (APP):Barely a month after the River Swat tragedy claimed 18 lives, another heartbreaking incident has shaken the serene valley of Malam Jabba as this time, two young brothers were swept away in a sudden flash flood, laying bare the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Government’s lack of flood preparedness and rains crisis response.
On Tuesday, a mother holding her 10-month-old infant and guiding her 7-year-old son tried to cross a stream in the Shur Dherai area when violent water currents surged through without warning. In an instant, both children were lost to the deluge.
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Shafiqa Gul confirmed the incident and said “The mother was guiding her elder son while holding the younger in her arms when the flash flood struck. In the chaos, she lost control, and both children drowned,” she said.
This tragedy is not just a consequence of natural forces, but a brutal reminder of systemic unpreparedness of KP Government
Experts warn that such calamities are becoming distressingly frequent in KP, particularly in vulnerable northern regions like Swat, due to erratic climate behavior.
Dr. Shafiqur Rehman, former Chairman of Environmental Sciences at the University of Peshawar, attributes the rising weather extremes to global climate change, worsened by local mismanagement, illegal construction in River Swat beds and unchecked deforestation.
“Pakistan’s monsoon season were once predictable,” he said. “Now we are either grappling with months of scorching drought or sudden downpours that turn deadly. The weather has become unpredictable, and that’s a terrifying reality.”
Pakistan ranks among the top 10 most vulnerable countries to climate change, despite contributing less than 1% of global greenhouse emissions. The country faces a dual climate threat ie growing water scarcity and extreme weather events such as flash floods.
A 2024 Pakistan Meteorological Department report highlighted a 15% drop in average monsoon rainfall over the last decade yet a 30% rise in violent rain spells. This dangerous imbalance is overwhelming already fragile infrastructure, particularly in hilly terrains and river valleys.
Local experts argue the recent tragedies aren’t just climate-driven but they reflect glaring governance failures in KP.
Dr. Rehman said decades of illegal construction along riverbeds and lax enforcement of zoning laws have left communities dangerously exposed.
“The infrastructure in KP simply isn’t designed to handle this new climate reality. We need urban redesigns, flood management systems, and most of all, political will.”
Gulzar Rehman, former Conservator of Forests, said the floods of 2022, which displaced over 33 million people and caused $30 billion in damages, should have been a wake-up call.
“But here we are, two years later, mourning preventable deaths again,” he lamented.
He also pointed to the 2023 drought, which devastated crops in Punjab and Sindh, showcasing Pakistan’s extreme weather swings. Farmers in districts like southern KP, Potohar and Tharparkar now regularly report poor harvests due to unreliable rainfall.
Despite these bleak developments, there are efforts underway to address the root causes. Shahid Noor, Conservator of Forests in South KP, revealed an ambitious monsoon afforestation campaign.
He said 367,000 saplings to be planted in Malakand Forest Region, 475,000 in the Northern Region, 149,000 in Central South KP and an additional 184,000 fruit-bearing plants for community use during monsoon season.
“We aim to plant over 700,000 saplings under direct supervision and distribute another 250,000 to the public,” Noor said. “Large-scale afforestation is key to reducing flood risk.”
Experts also advocate building small and medium-sized dams for water management and promoting climate-resilient agriculture, such as drought-resistant crops and drip irrigation.
“We must enhance flood forecasting using AI-powered radars and satellite monitoring,” said Dr. Rehman. “The time for basic weather alerts is over and we need predictive systems with real-time capabilities.”
Above all, experts agree that behavioral change is paramount. Public awareness, education, and enforcement of environmental regulations are needed at every level from schools to city planning boards.
Pakistan’s tech-savvy youth and growing green start-up ecosystem offer a ray of hope. With increased access to international climate funding, especially after the country’s significant role in COP27 negotiations, there’s momentum to build upon if seized.
“If current trends persist, rainfall once a blessing could become our greatest threat,” Dr. Rehman warned. “This is not just a challenged of weather; it’s a crisis of willpower and preparation.”
As the people of Swat mourn yet another avoidable tragedy, the question remains that will this be the tipping point for change, or just another forgotten headline?