Family Swept Away by Swat River Floodwaters: "I Kept Calling Like a Madman, But Couldn't Reach My Wife and Children"

"I was told that my brother-in-law Muhammad Mohsin’s family had met with an accident and that his children were swept away by the water. For a moment, I froze — my wife and children were with them too. I started dialing numbers on my phone like a madman, but I couldn’t reach them," said Abdul Salam, a resident of Daska in Sialkot district of central Punjab.

His wife, two daughters, and a son had gone on a sightseeing trip to Swat and other hilly areas along with other relatives, where they all drowned in the Swat River.

According to Rescue 1122’s spokesperson in Swat, a total of 16 people were caught in the floodwaters. Three were rescued, while nine bodies have been recovered. The search for the remaining is ongoing.

Abdul Salam said he was immediately heading to Swat. He works in Saudi Arabia as a laborer and had taken leave to return to Pakistan to oversee the construction of his house. "Before they left for Swat, my daughters were insisting I join them, saying it would be more fun. But I told them if I left too, who would supervise the house construction?" he said.

The family that drowned in the Swat River was from Daska. They had initially set off for Naran-Kaghan at around 11 PM but changed their route and went to Swat instead.

Muhammad Mohsin’s father, Abdul Rehman, said, "Sixteen members of our family had set out, including friends of my son Mohsin and their families. In the morning, Mohsin told me they were going to Swat instead of Naran-Kaghan."

He added, "We were in touch during breakfast, and everything was fine. A little later, my daughter and son-in-law were crying on the phone. They told me the children had been swept away by the river."

Abdul Rehman stated, "My daughter-in-law Rubina and her four daughters were swept away. My daughter Fauzia and her four daughters were also among those who drowned. One of my daughters, her husband, and four daughters survived."

When contacted by phone, a young man, Muhammad Mohsin, who had accompanied the family, said he was currently taking the bodies back to Sialkot via ambulance. Shocked and grieving, he could only say, "They were my friend’s family, and they had come from Sialkot." He was unable to speak further.

Sialkot's Deputy Commissioner Saba Asghar told BBC Urdu that 35 individuals had traveled from Daska to Swat. Initial investigations revealed that Muhammad Mohsin from Daska took his own family, his brother-in-law's family, families of two friends, and other individuals with him to Swat.

According to rescue personnel, the affected family from Daska had come to Swat for sightseeing. While having breakfast by the riverside, a sudden surge in the river — caused by rain — swept away 16 members of the same family.

Rescue spokespersons said they received information about the drowning at around 8 AM.

The group was sitting along the river near Mingora Bypass and was unaware of the incoming floodwaters.

As soon as they were informed, rescue teams launched an operation. Three people were rescued alive, and eight bodies were recovered. The search for the others is ongoing. Among the deceased were five children.

Swat's Deputy Commissioner told the media that Section 144 had been imposed to prohibit bathing in or approaching the river. However, tourists still went there.

Swat city’s Mayor, Shahid Ali Khan, immediately reached the riverbank where tourists from Sialkot and Mardan were swept away by the floodwaters.

He said, "The flood current was so strong that those caught in it couldn’t even comprehend what to do."

Mayor Shahid Ali Khan confirmed that multiple members of a single family from Sialkot were swept away. He added that three people from Mardan miraculously survived.

He explained that the tourists had stopped across the river for breakfast. Some sat in a hotel while others went toward the river. One woman had gone to call them back when a powerful flash flood arrived suddenly. Those caught in the middle climbed onto a mound hoping the water level would recede, but instead, it kept rising.

According to the mayor, 11 victims were from the Sialkot family, and five were from Mardan. He said the flash flood came within just 15 to 20 minutes, giving them no chance to react. The Sialkot family had arrived in Swat on Friday morning.

Eyewitness Accounts

Locals reported that the people caught in the floodwaters had gathered on a sandbank in the river, waiting to be rescued or for the water level to subside so they could escape.

Eyewitness Fazal Subhan said, "Some children and women were standing at the riverbank taking pictures, then one woman went over to them. The tourists from Sialkot and Mardan were near the river."

He explained that a dam had been constructed on one side of the river, which broke due to the floodwaters. A massive surge of water headed toward the tourists. Though they tried to save themselves, within minutes, the water had washed away the sand and rocks under their feet, and they were swept into the fierce current of the Swat River. "It was a very painful sight," he added.

Another eyewitness, Sher Ali, told BBC that the water level was rising continuously, making it increasingly difficult for the trapped people to hold on. "The mound they were standing on was shrinking, and there was no support to cling to."

A local witness told media that the tourists from Punjab were drinking tea after breakfast when young girls went to the riverbank to take selfies. At that time, the water level was low, but suddenly a massive surge came, and the children were trapped. He claimed they informed rescue services, but the teams arrived late. While rescue workers were present, the children drowned and couldn't be saved. When contacted, Rescue 1122 officials said they were actively engaged in the rescue operation and could not comment at the moment.

District Emergency Officer for Rescue 1122 in Swat, Muhammad Saad Khan, told BBC that as soon as they received the report, they dispatched teams to the site and tried their best to rescue the trapped individuals.

He said they received the emergency call at 9:39 AM and reached the site within 10 to 12 minutes. They initially rescued three people and later sent a boat into the floodwaters to rescue the rest. However, the sand under the victims gave way before they could be saved.

Due to recent rains, nearly 70 people were stranded in various parts of Swat due to flash floods. Around 120 rescue workers were deployed.

According to Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Faizi:

19 people were swept away at Swat Bypass

4 bodies were recovered at Takhtaband

22 people were stranded at Imam Dheri — all rescued

2 people were trapped at Ghalgai — one rescued, one body recovered

7 people were stranded at Mayar — 4 rescued, search ongoing

1 person trapped at Gupunji Gram — search underway

20 to 30 people were trapped at Bamkhela Matta — all rescued

2 bodies were recovered from Oodi Gram


The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and the Meteorological Department had already issued alerts two days earlier, and Section 144 was enforced at the district level, warning the public of possible flooding in rivers and streams due to heavy rainfall.

Regarding this incident, local journalist Adnan Bacha from Swat reported that on the first day, a few police and administrative personnel came near the river and warned the people, but after that, no one returned. Even on Friday morning, there was no one near the rivers, although flood surges can usually be anticipated in advance, and the administration should have evacuated all people to safe locations.

During the incident, voices can be heard in the background of the videos being recorded, asking, “Where are the administration and rescue teams? They should come quickly and save these people.”

At such tourist spots, there are usually officials from the local district administration, police, tourism police, Rescue 1122, Civil Defense, the irrigation department, and others. However, during this critical moment, no one was present to rescue the trapped tourists.

Speaking to journalists, City Mayor Shahid Ali Khan acknowledged that this is a long river in their area, and they have very limited resources. However, if any negligence occurred from any side, the responsible individuals or departments will be held accountable.

Locals said that after the alert from the Meteorological Department, only WhatsApp messages were circulated. No concrete or practical measures were visible from the administration. This lack of action was the reason nearly 70 people got trapped in the sudden flood. Now, announcements are being made and efforts are being initiated to keep others safe.