The rescue operation for tourists stranded in Swat valley’s Kalam is currently underway. Following the devastation of several hotels due to the floods, as many as 1500 tourists were left stranded.
The tourists sought shelter in hotels that managed to survive the floods and were with free meals and other services. As per reports, tourists who could pull some strings had been airlifted while others were left behind.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif ordered the immediate evacuation of around 700 tourists who were still stranded. Provincial authorities launched a helicopter service to rescue the tourists.
Moreover, the military has been airlifting tourists for the past few days but Shehbaz Sharif has also provided a federal government helicopter reserved for the prime minister.
Read more: The devastating floods in Pakistan
The road link to Kalam remains suspended after floods destroyed bridges and roads in the valley. Only areas up to Bahrain are accessible by road.
PTI leader Murad Saeed shared a video of tourists being rescued by helicopters and praised the district administration for its rescue and relief services.
“The return of tourists from Kalam by helicopter continued even today. Before the flood relay, they were all shifted to safe places and given all possible facilities. Roads to Bahrain have been restored and the rest of the restoration work is ongoing. Necessary goods are also being delivered to Kalam by helicopter. Well done District Administration,” Murad Saeed tweeted.
کالام سے بزریعہ ہیلی کاپٹر سیاحوں کی واپسی کا سلسلہ آج بھی جاری رہا۔ سیلابی ریلے سے پہلے ان سب کو محفوظ مقامات پر منتقل کر کے ہر ممکن سہولت بھی دی گئی تھی۔ بحرین تک رستے بحال باقی بحالی کا کام جاری۔ کالام تک بزریعہ ہیلی کاپٹر اشیاء ضرورت بھی پہنچائی جا رہی ہے۔ ضلعی انتظامیہ شاباش pic.twitter.com/3Rxz6DK3zP
— Murad Saeed (@MuradSaeedPTI) August 31, 2022
“Medical camps have also been established in Kalam. The rescue and relief phase is going on with the help of Allah and excellent teamwork. Rehabilitation has also started. Before the flood relay, the arrangement of all the tourists and local population to move to safe places and accommodation was a difficult phase, but the dynamic administration ensured it,” he added.
Devastation in Swat
The picturesque district of Swat, which is a popular tourist destination, is among the most affected areas during the recent floods and the provincial government has imposed an emergency to deal with the situation.
Floods and landslides triggered by intense monsoon rains killed at least 15 people in Swat city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. More than 100 houses and other buildings were destroyed by flood water while almost 50 hotels and restaurants were also swept away. Disturbing videos of buildings getting washed away by floods also emerged on social media.
Read more: Flash floods wreak havoc in Swat, emergency declared
Moreover, the flash floods have destroyed almost 130-kilometers road network. As many as 15 connecting bridges were completely or partially destroyed in the floods.