Governor Kundi Slams KP Government as Swat River Tragedy Claims 11 Lives

The Swat River flood turned tragic as the death toll from the Mingora incident climbed to 11 on Saturday. The disaster has triggered a wave of criticism against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government for its delayed response, with KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi demanding Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation.

Sudden Rise in Water Level

The victims, mostly tourists, were enjoying breakfast by the Swat River on Friday when a sudden surge of water, triggered by heavy rainfall upstream, swept them away. The powerful current caught the group off guard, stranding several on a shrinking island of land.

Recovery Efforts Continue

Initially, nine bodies were recovered, and four individuals were rescued. As of Saturday morning, two more bodies — including a child’s — were found, raising the toll to 11. Three people remain missing as the rescue operation enters its third day. The bodies and survivors have been shifted to Daska.

Read: Pakistan Army Deployed Nationwide for Muharram Security

Public Anger and Viral Footage

Footage showing the stranded group waiting helplessly for hours, with no official help in sight, sparked public outrage. The lack of immediate rescue operations fueled anger on social media, where users, including political figures, condemned the provincial government’s inaction.

Governor Kundi’s Strong Rebuke

Governor Kundi criticized the provincial administration, calling the delay in response a “shameful failure of duty.” He demanded that CM Gandapur, who also heads the tourism department, resign. In a video posted on X, Kundi urged the chief minister to take moral responsibility.

Inquiry and Government Response

In response, the KP government formed a committee to investigate the incident, assess causes, and identify any lapses. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered immediate action, directing the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to launch a full-scale search and issue public safety advisories amid continued extreme weather.

Widespread Impact of Flash Floods

Flash floods and landslides over the past 24 hours have claimed at least 11 more lives in KP, damaging 56 homes. The Meteorological Department has warned of more heavy rain and possible flash floods until Tuesday.