Double trouble: Swat and Kabul rivers overflow in Charsadda

Locals says govt should ensure safety of people living along the banks.

SHABQADAR: Rising water levels of Swat and Kabul rivers are affecting many areas of Charsadda district, with people living on the river banks evacuating their homes and shifting to safer locations.

Shabaqadar tehsil was among the worst affected places during the 2010 floods when two of its main bridges were washed away by Swat River. Since those bridges are still under construction, locals have created makeshift wooden bridges to cross the river.

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) officials and elected representatives also visited the areas along the river banks. Provincial senior minister Sikandar Sherpao, Minister for Local Government Inayatullah and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MPA Akbar Hayat Khan are among those who visited the areas and instructed officials to look after flood affectees.



Water level in Tapo Sardar Korana and Bella Mohmandan areas, situated along the Kabul River in Peshawar, increases every year as a result of weather changes. Similarly, Mian Kali Rashakai, Haji Zai Jamat and Ghulambak areas – which lie on the banks of Kabul River in Charsadda – are also affected by flood in the summer season each year.

Residents of Hastanagar, another area terribly affected by the flooding of Swat River in 2010, fled to safer areas as soon as they heard the news of a possible flood.

Irfanullah, a local journalist, said the two rivers will cause massive destruction. He was of the opinion the government should take immediate steps to safeguard the people residing in the flood’s path.

Advocate Muhammad Jan Gigyani, provincial joint secretary of Qaumi Watan Party, claimed influential people who own lands in Peshawar divert Kabul River’s flood water to Shabqadar by constructing safety walls.



“In the past, water from Kabul River flowing near Naguman, Peshawar has been diverted to Hajizai, Shabqadar which was already affected by the flood in Swat River,” he said.

Gigyani said the Supreme Court of Pakistan had recommended the Munda Dam be constructed immediately.

“The suggestion should be taken seriously as the dam would not only save Charsadda from further floods, it would generate 750 megawatts of electricity and also irrigate swathes of land in the district along with solving the water problem in Mohmand Agency,” Gigyani urged.

He alleged the project has been delayed unnecessarily by the federal government, saying work on it should start as soon as possible.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 15^th, 2013.