The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has removed the Director-General of Rescue KP and the Director General of the Upper SWAT Development Authority following the recent drowning of tourists in the Swat River, officials said Tuesday.
Provincial Inspection Team presented a report that accused the Swat Development Authority for Administrative Definals, reported Express news.
The report also raised concerns about DG Rescue’s lack of technical expertise in handling such emergencies.
The incident in which several tourists drowned due to a delayed rescue operation had already led the provincial government to suspend six officers earlier.
Read: Suddenly Water Wave Caighted Swat Tragedy
As part of the latest action, KP Rescue DG’s services have been handed over to Peshawar Development Authority (PDA), while DG from SWAT Development Authority has been removed from his seat and assigned a non-operational role, effectively removing him from active administrative tasks.
Commissioner’s conclusions
The decisions follow a detailed report submitted by the Malakand Commissioner to a study committee examining the faulty of the rescue operation.
The drowning in SWAT has accelerated criticism of lack of emergencies in the region, especially in high tourist seasons.
Read more: Construction along the Swat River derived water flow, leading tourists at risk: Report
The disciplinary act of the provincial government emphasizes increasing concern about the safety and crisis mechanisms of tourism in the area.
According to official reports, 17 tourists – 10 from Sialkot, six from Marran and a resident – were caught in flood water after entering the river in Khwazakhela despite visible risks.
Four tourists were rescued while 12 organs were recovered. Rescue efforts for a missing person are in progress.
Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) described the level of flood as “very high”. The sudden wave lifted the power of the SWAT River from 6,738 to 77,782 CUSERCS within hours, leaving little chance of being caught to return to security.
ALSO READ: DC SWAT removed, four officials suspended
A study revealed that nearby construction along the river had changed its natural flow, causing misleading low water levels on site.
This misleading the tourists and they went into the river. A hotel security guard allegedly tried to stop them, but they bypassed the main entrance and gained access to the river through the back. Within 14 minutes after entering, rising water levels received an emergency call at. 9.45.
Rescue teams arrived at. 10.05 – 20 minutes after the call. Before the incident, early flood warnings were issued by the irrigation department at. 8.41.
Formal warnings were sent to the Deputy Commissioners of SWAT, Charsadda and Nowshera as well as PDMA and other relevant authorities. A formal flooding alarm followed at 1 p.m. 10.30pm.
The report noted that section 144 banning swimming and boating in the SWAT River had been imposed from June 24, but the enforcement remained slack.
