MINGORA, Pakistan: Once celebrated for their emerald pastures, vibrant bazaars, and rich cultural tapestry, the valleys of Mankiyal, Matiltan, Utror, and Gabral in Upper Swat—stretching from Khwazkhela to Madyan—now face an existential threat beneath the towering peaks of the Hindu Kush.
Recurrent Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and flash floods have devastated communities, displacing families, eroding livelihoods, and imperilling centuries-old traditions.
The GLOF-II project, under the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, seeks to mitigate the risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods by improving early warning systems, strengthening disaster preparedness, and implementing sustainable glacier management to safeguard vulnerable communities and ecosystems.
GLOF-II is an initiative focused on reducing the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through early warning systems.
One of its officials based in Peshawar, Rashid Khan, underscores the vulnerability of areas such as Matiltan, Palogah, Gabral, Utror, and Mankial in Swat.
He highlights a sharp increase in GLOF incidents, with approximately 20 recorded in 2017, 43 in 2018, and an astonishing 83 events in 2023.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) data, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 101 deaths during this period, including 33 men, 20 women, and 48 children, highlighting the devastating toll on the region.
The floods have shown that this is only the tip of the iceberg—the hidden costs of the disaster stretch far beyond what is immediately visible.
Similarly, a total of 146 injuries were reported, with 45 men, 34 women, and 67 children, underscoring the significant impact on children among both casualties and injuries.
Meanwhile, the infrastructure and property damage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been severe, with 14 bridges destroyed, disrupting transportation and essential connectivity.
Additionally, approximately 714 houses sustained partial damage, affecting numerous families in the region, while 261 houses were completely destroyed, exacerbating the devastation and displacement of residents.
A total of 151 livestock were lost due to the event, severely impacting rural communities that rely on these animals for their livelihoods.
The floods have shown that this is only the tip of the iceberg—the hidden costs of the disaster stretch far beyond what is immediately visible.
Environmental scientists warn that Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) are sudden and destructive events, releasing millions of cubic metres of water and debris, and endangering lives, property, and livelihoods in remote mountain regions.
According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), that more than 7.1 million people in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are at risk, with 26.7 per cent and 22 per cent of the populations, respectively, living below the poverty line—further exacerbating the vulnerability of such disasters.
We once loved the river, but now it brings only fear and destruction,” – Umar Zareen
Rahimullah, a resident of Palogah in the Matiltan region in Upper Swat, recounts how his entire village was submerged by floodwaters in both 2010 and 2022.
“The destruction was widespread, affecting around eighty houses, 30 small restaurants and hotels, and more than 20 shops,” he shares, describing the profound sense of helplessness that gripped the community in the aftermath.
Similarly, Iqbal Ali, a resident of Kamar Khwa in Mankiyal valley, recalls the devastation caused by the 2022 floods while tending to his animals near his village.
“The flood completely swept away our village, including 60 homes. Fortunately, we took shelter on higher ground and remained safe, but the floodwaters destroyed all of our houses, livestock, and farmland,” he tells WE News English.
There was a time when the residents of Kamar Khwa and Baddai Serai—located about 80 kilometres North of Mingora—cherished the rivers flowing near their villages. The waters provided drinking supplies, and supported agriculture.
However, after frequent and devastating floods swept away their lands, homes, and play areas, the once-beloved rivers have become a source of fear.
Sitting under a cedar tree with a stick in his hands, young Umar Zareen expresses the community’s sorrow: “We once loved the river, but now it brings only fear and destruction.”
Agriculture Under Siege
For farmers like 43-year-old Muhammad Qasim Khan in Utror valley, the land is more than just a source of income—it’s a legacy.
However, over the past decade, relentless floods have eroded nearly 30 per cent of agricultural lands and irrigation channels, crippling a region once renowned for its high-quality vegetables like broccoli, lettuce, and peas.
“Our fields fed cities, but now they’re buried under rubble,” says Khan, his voice heavy with despair. “Many farmers can’t even plant this season. When the land vanishes, so does our identity.”
Our fields fed cities, but now they’re buried under rubble.” – Muhammad Qasim Khan, a farmer.
The data reflects his anguish: Since 2013, 30 per cent of Utror and Gabral’s residents have migrated to lower regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, forced out by lost harvests and mounting debt. “We’re not just losing crops—we’re losing generations of knowledge,” adds Khan.
Tourism and Infrastructure in Ruins
The scars of climate disasters are evident in Bahrain, a town located about 60 kilometres North of Mingora, once celebrated as one of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s most beautiful bazaars.
Today, its riverside promenade lies in ruins, battered by the devastating floods of 2010 and 2022. “Each rebuilding attempt gave us hope, but the river always returns,” says Zubair Torwali, a local scholar in Bahrain.
The Swat and Daral rivers, swollen with glacial melt, now routinely engulf the marketplace, while the Bahrain-Kalam road—a vital artery for tourism—remains fractured by collapsed bridges.
Once a thriving hub for tourists, Bahrain now struggles as tourist traffic dwindles, dealing a heavy blow to local hotels and artisans. “Before 2022, this street buzzed with life. Now, even our memories are washed away,” Torwali laments.
Exodus from the valleys
Displacement has become a harsh reality in the region. Families like 56-year-old Fareeda Bibi, a resident of Utror now living in Rawalpindi, recall fleeing their mud-caked homes overnight in 2022. “We lost our land, our livestock—everything,” she says.
Nazir Ahmed, a Kalam-based social activist, highlights a surge in seasonal migration for labour, which has strained social bonds, exposing women and children to the vulnerabilities of urban life.
When boundaries blur under floodwaters, neighbours become adversaries.” – Malik Noor.
The chaos has also sparked land disputes. “When boundaries blur under floodwaters, neighbours become adversaries,” explains Malik Noor, a local elder of Kalam.
Court cases over property claims have surged, further fracturing communities already reeling from loss.
Cultural Heritage
Beyond material tolls, GLOFs threaten the intangible heritage of the region. Muhammad Zaman Sagar, a linguistic activist, warns that displacement severs vital connections to ancestral knowledge.
“Our languages hold words for every tree, ritual, and glacier. When people scatter, that lexicon dies,” he says.
In Budai Kamar near Peshmal, a mountain of debris from the 2022 floods stands as a stark reminder of nature’s wrath.
“That mudslide carried our history,” says farmer Gul Nawaz. Traditional festivals like Jandol Jashan, once a vibrant celebration of harvests, now fade as youth depart.
Despite the adversity, resilience endures. Communities are calling on the government to take action on early warning systems and climate-resilient infrastructure.
“We rebuilt Bahrain twice—we’ll do it again. But we need help,” insists Torwali.
As glaciers retreat and rivers rage, the people of Upper Swat face a wake-up call: Can their heritage survive the floods? For now, the valleys echo with stories of survival—but time is running out.
The devastating floods of 2022 had a profound impact on lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods in Swat.
According to data issued by Additional Deputy Commissioner Relief and HR Ihsanul Haq, 26 people lost their lives, while 19 others sustained injuries.
The government ensured that all deceased and injured individuals were duly compensated.
The floods also caused widespread damage to residential properties, completely destroying 1,119 houses and partially damaging an additional 687 in Upper Swat.
Following thorough assessments, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) provided financial assistance to the affected homeowners.
Beyond the destruction of residential properties, critical infrastructure also suffered significant damage. A total of 49 schools, 15 health facilities, and 70 link roads were affected.
Additionally, 43 bridges, 216 irrigation channels, eight sports facilities, 533 shops, and 75 hotels were damaged. Agricultural losses were also severe, with 37,869.97 hectares of crops destroyed and 159 cattle lost in the disaster.
