MINGORA: Hotels and houses along the banks of the Swat River have been abandoned after the water level in
the river kept rising as time went on
torrential rains and subsequent floods in the district on Thursday.
The district administration ordered hotel owners and local residents living on the banks of the Svát River to evacuate their homes due to possible flooding in the river.
Locals and tourists stayed indoors as flash floods wreaked havoc when hundreds of houses, shops and power poles were destroyed in Mingora town, scenic spots and other parts of the district a day earlier.
A youth identified as Alam Sher, 20, a resident of Tango Jaro, was swept away by floods in the Swat River as intermittent rain continued for the second day. The district administration and 1122 rescue service personnel have started a search to fish out the body.
At many places, including Asriat and other areas, the Svát river overflowed and damaged the roadway at several places.
National Highways Authorities have arrived at the locations to clear the road while the flood-affected are still waiting for help from the government.
There was an acute shortage of basic items and non-availability of electricity, causing hardship to the affected.
The floods also swept away shelters and public places along the Swat River in Kalam, Bahrain and Madyan, and destroyed crops and orchards elsewhere in Swat District.
Floods destroyed several areas including Sharifabad, Mulla Baba, Marghzar Town, Faizabad, Bangladesh, Makanbagh, Landay Kas, Bangladesh, Swat Press Club, Hockey ground and others.
The streets and bazaars in the city of Mingora looked like a pond and created trouble
pedestrians and motorists.
People were seen manually pumping flood water out of their homes and shops the next day.
Business activity was heavily affected by the rains and subsequent flooding in the area. Heavy downpour caused flooding in Mingora town after nullahs and streams overflowed their banks, submerging houses, shops, markets and business centers, causing heavy losses to residents and traders.
Provincial governments and the Pakistan Meteorological Department have warned that the Swat and Indus rivers could swell, leading to further flash floods affecting residents of those regions.
The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in Pakistan has declared a state of emergency in several districts of the province till August 30. The provincial disaster management body has warned that the Swat River may witness high to very high floods, Dawn news agency reported.
On Friday, 12 people died in flash floods in various parts of Svát. The river swelled, leading to flooding that swept away at least 24 bridges and 50 hotels. Several videos on social media showed people running for their lives as floodwaters washed away mosques, houses and buildings.
In Chatekal area of Gwalerai, Swat, seven people died after the roof of their house collapsed due to heavy rain. The regional emergency operations center warned that the river could swell to such an extent that it "could result in a dangerous situation for communities living in the vicinity".
Provincial governments and the Pakistan Meteorological Department have warned that the Swat and Indus rivers could swell, leading to further flash floods affecting residents of those regions.
The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in Pakistan has declared a state of emergency in several districts of the province till August 30. The provincial disaster management body has warned that the Swat River may witness high to very high floods, Dawn news agency reported.
On Friday, 12 people died in flash floods in various parts of Svát. The river swelled, leading to flooding that swept away at least 24 bridges and 50 hotels. Several videos on social media showed people running for their lives as floodwaters washed away mosques, houses and buildings.
In Chatekal area of Gwalerai, Swat, seven people died after the roof of their house collapsed due to heavy rain. The regional emergency operations center warned that the river could swell to such an extent that it "could result in a dangerous situation for communities living in the vicinity".
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