Drones Acquired by KP Govt After Swat Flood Tragedy

In a decisive response to the devastating flash floods in Swat Valley, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has approved the procurement of drones and modern life-saving equipment for flood rescue operations. This follows a tragic incident where 11 to 19 tourists—including women and children—were swept away by a sudden swell of the Swat River in late June, sparking strong public outcry over rescue delays and coordination failures.

• Flash floods: torrential rains upstream cause sudden surges in river flow

• Casualties: Reports vary—11 deaths confirmed, rising to 19 in some counts; several still missing

• Stranded tourists: Multiple families, including children, were caught on river islets without immediate rescue

• Delayed rescue response: Rescue 1122 reportedly took 19 minutes to arrive and lacked boats and divers

• Media backlash: Widespread criticism over rescue teams’ late arrival and lack of equipment

• KP government response:

• Suspended four senior officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Swat and the Rescue 1122 leadership

• Launched inquiry and announced Rs 1.5 million compensation per victim

• Imposed a ban on mining and riverbank encroachments

Speedy response: Can reach stranded victims in under a minute, bypassing floodwaters and terrain, exactly what was missing during the Swat crisis

Safety: Allow rescue teams to locate and assist victims without risking human rescue divers in treacherous waters

Versatility: Ideal for search operations, delivering life jackets, conducting aerial surveillance, and mapping flood zones

Work alongside boats and helicopters, enhancing rescue network capability

• Formal deployment of drones, life jackets, and other rescue equipment to bolster flood response

• Designation of the ADC (Relief) office as a centralized response centre with personnel from all relevant departments

• Launch of a massive riverbank clearing operation, removing illegal hotels, mining, and encroachments

• Rescue-1122 is equipped with vehicles, boats, ambulances, and sonar tech

• Emergency Flood Cell in Peshawar is coordinating with provincial and federal bodies

• Collaboration with NDMA, military, local administration, and volunteers during flash floods

• Proactive rescue deployment: Pre-position drones and rescue boats in risk zones

• Inter-institutional coordination: Align Rescue-1122, PDMA, the irrigation department, and the local police under joint protocols

• Technology investment: Acquire drones with payload capacity for life vests, communication gear, and thermal cams

• Operational mapping: Create risk-area UAV patrol routes and rapid dispatch protocols

• Accountability & transparency: Publicly share procurement, SOPs, and audit results

Many praised drone deployment as overdue, citing KP’s 2022 flood accounts, where drones could have saved lives

Some locals stress that drones alone aren’t enough—they must be combined with properly equipped Rescue-1122 teams and clear protocols

In the wake of the Swat River tragedy, KP’s decision to acquire rescue drones represents a vital leap in disaster preparedness. This marks a shift from reactive to proactive rescue efforts, matching the reality of climate-induced flash floods. Whether drones alone will save lives depends on timely deployment, trained personnel, and supportive systems. But this is a crucial first step toward a safer, more responsive KP.