Precautions required: Swat River claims two more lives

Over 20 people have drowned in the perilous waters this year alone.

MINGORA/HARIPUR: Two more people have drowned in the Swat River during the past two days.

According to Khwazakhela police station, a man identified as Dawlat Khan drowned in the river while he was bathing on Wednesday. His body was recovered from Ghwerja village.

In another incident, a 17-year-old college student Musa Khan also drowned while swimming in Swat River near Charbagh on Tuesday. After a long search, Musa’s body was recovered and he was laid to rest.

So far this year, over 20 people have drowned in Swat River while swimming or bathing. Although the Deputy Commissioner Swat has imposed Section 144 on swimming or bathing in the river, thousands of people still go to escape the scorching heat during Ramazan.

Separately, a man drowned in Tarbela Lake, police and relatives of the deceased said on Wednesday.

Darban police quoted eyewitnesses saying some villagers were bathing in the lake near Las Gard village when one of them ventured into deeper waters and drowned.

Divers fished out the body and sent it to Darban
Basic Health Unit for an autopsy. The deceased was identified as Ali, 49, son of Mehmand Ali.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2014.