Four government bodies blamed in Pakistan's Swat drowning incident

Nearly two weeks after a family of tourists drowned in Pakistan’s Swat River, an official inquiry has blamed four government departments for negligence, exposing systemic failures in disaster preparedness and response.

The report, submitted to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, holds the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Irrigation Department, Local Government, and Rescue 1122 accountable for the lapses that led to the tragedy.

The incident occurred on June 27 amid Pakistan’s ongoing monsoon season, which has triggered widespread flash floods and heavy rains. A family visiting the scenic Swat Valley was swept away by a sudden surge in the river after entering the water when levels appeared deceptively low.

Within minutes, the current intensified, trapping them midstream. One by one, they were carried off by the rising floodwaters as a bystander filmed the horrifying scene.

The footage quickly went viral, sparking nationwide outrage and raising serious questions about government preparedness and rescue capabilities.

Twelve bodies were recovered, four people were rescued, and one child remains missing. In response, the chief minister ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.

Systemic failures

A 63-page inquiry report has revealed severe lapses by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and local administration. It cited a failure to implement flood advisories and a breakdown in the early warning system, which delayed alerts and contributed to the disaster.

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The report also pointed to poor interdepartmental coordination -- particularly among police, revenue, irrigation, rescue, and tourism officials -- as a key factor.

Rescue 1122 was singled out for its delayed response, lack of trained personnel, and inadequate equipment. The failure to enforce Section 144, which restricts access to dangerous areas during emergencies, further exacerbated the situation.

Hotel owners were also criticized for failing to warn tourists about potential risks, and the absence of any risk classification system for riverside tourist spots was highlighted as a major oversight.

The report noted that departmental roles regarding riverside safety were unclear, and that illegal construction and encroachments along waterways were widespread, violating safety regulations.

CM approves action

The inquiry committee identified multiple government officers guilty of negligence and recommended disciplinary action.

According to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, CM Ali Amin Gandapur has approved punitive measures and directed departments to complete legal proceedings within 60 days.

The chief minister also ordered the introduction of new safety protocols and a regulatory framework within 30 days to prevent similar tragedies in the future. A committee headed by the chief secretary will oversee the implementation of these recommendations and submit monthly progress reports to the CM.

Post-tragedy crackdown

In the wake of the drowning incident, the provincial government and local authorities launched a crackdown on illegal riverbank encroachments.

According to the report, 127 unauthorized structures were sealed, and demolition operations were carried out on buildings spread across 682 kanals. A total of 1,874 kanals were identified as encroached land, with 1,019 kanals cleared so far.

To strengthen future emergency preparedness, the KP government has approved several major initiatives: the establishment of 36 prefabricated rescue stations at a cost of Rs66 million, the procurement of modern rescue equipment worth Rs739 million, and the development of a digital monitoring system for Rs200 million.