On June 27, 13 members of a single family were swept away by a sudden flash flood in Swat Valley, Pakistan, after becoming stranded on a small riverbank island during a rise in water levels. The Swat River, fed by glacial melt from the Hindu Kush mountains, surged rapidly following intense rainfall, according to officials.
The incident is part of a wider pattern of flood-related fatalities across Pakistan, where over 46 people have died recently due to heavy rains, including sudden, brutal flash floods.
Pakistan’s mountainous north, home to more than 7,000 glaciers, faces increasing threats from glacial lake outburst floods as temperatures rise. Deforestation and unregulated development in these areas have exacerbated the risks by altering natural water flows and reducing soil stability.
Experts point to changes in rainfall intensity and timing, with monsoons now arriving earlier and with greater volume. Urban areas such as Karachi and Lahore are also experiencing flash floods, largely due to drainage systems obstructed by infrastructure development.
Authorities have renewed calls to reevaluate construction along riverbeds and steep terrains. However, specialists warn that unless structural policy adjustments are made, such incidents are likely to increase under changing climate conditions.