In Swat’s Mangalore area, a headmaster’s quick thinking prevented a tragedy as a violent flood swept through a government primary school, saving nearly 950 students. His swift action comes as flash floods continue to devastate northern Pakistan, pushing the nationwide rain-related death toll beyond 300.
In a heroic act of quick thinking, Saeed Ahmed, the headmaster of a government primary school in Swat’s Mangalore area, saved nearly 950 students when a sudden flood swept through the school. The flood, which caused massive destruction to the school’s walls and classrooms, arrived just after Ahmed noticed the rising waters in a nearby stream. Without hesitation, he instructed his teachers to send the children home, and within minutes, the floodwater inundated the school, submerging it completely. Remarkably, all 936 students were safely evacuated, and not a single life was lost.
Standing amidst the ruins of the school, Ahmed appealed to the government for swift action to rebuild the school so that students can resume their education. His calm and decisive response undoubtedly prevented a tragedy and saved hundreds of lives.
Meanwhile, rescue operations continue across northern Pakistan, where torrential rains since Thursday have caused flash floods, landslides, and widespread devastation. Rescuers are digging through massive boulders in search of survivors, and the death toll from rain-related incidents has now crossed 300, primarily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The country is grappling with floods that have swept away villages and left many people trapped under rubble.
On Saturday, hundreds of residents attended mass funerals in different areas, where victims were mourned amid scenes of destruction. In some regions, residents were seen shoveling mud out of their homes, while others began rebuilding their lives from the wreckage. As the monsoon season continues, more heavy rains and landslides are expected, with Pakistan’s meteorological department forecasting intensified monsoon activity in the coming days.
This year’s monsoon has proven especially destructive, with the intensity of rainfall nearly 50-60% higher than last year, according to Lieutenant General Inam Haider, chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Pakistan, already one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change, faces the escalating challenges posed by extreme weather events. The torrential rains this summer have already claimed over 650 lives and left more than 920 people injured.
The devastating impact of the floods highlights the growing urgency for disaster preparedness and response in the face of an increasingly erratic climate. The international community, including Iran and Pope Leo XIV, has offered support, extending condolences and pledging assistance to the people of Pakistan as they cope with this calamity.
