Flash floods in Pakistan kill 8 people; 58 others rescued after being swept away by rising water

PESHAWAR, June 27 — Flash floods caused by heavy pre-monsoon rains swept away several tourists in northwest Pakistan on Friday, killing at least eight people. Across the country, 18 people have died in rain-related incidents in the past 24 hours, officials said.


Rescue teams, made up of around 100 people, have saved 58 people so far and are still searching for others who were swept away while picnicking near the Swat River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to Shah Fahad, a spokesperson for the emergency services, 16 people from the same family are among those dead or missing.


Rescuers have recovered eight bodies after working for several hours, and the search continues for 10 more missing people. Videos shared on social media show about a dozen people stranded on a small raised area in the middle of the river, calling for help as the floodwaters rose quickly around them.


Fahad urged everyone to follow earlier government warnings about possible flash floods in the Swat River. The river runs through the Swat Valley, a beautiful area that attracts many tourists throughout the year.


In other parts of Pakistan, at least 10 more people died in rain-related incidents in Punjab and Sindh provinces.


Weather experts say more rain is expected this week. Pakistan’s monsoon season usually lasts from July to September.


Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives and has asked authorities to improve safety measures near rivers and streams. The recent heavy rains have already damaged homes and blocked roads in some areas.


However, weather officials say this year’s rainfall will likely be less than in 2022, when severe flooding affected a third of the country and killed more than 1,700 people.

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