Swat’s Illegal Riverbed Hotels Face Action After KP Floods Kill 20

Romaan Khan
Swat’s Illegal Riverbed Hotels Face Action After KP Floods Kill 20

Swat’s illegal riverbed hotels are now being demolished after devastating floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed at least 20 people this week. The destruction forced authorities to act fast against unapproved structures built too close to the rivers in Swat.

For years, these riverside hotels attracted tourists with scenic views, but ignored safety laws and warnings. The recent floods showed just how dangerous that negligence was. Water crashed through the valley, washing away bridges, homes, and entire sections of hotels.

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District officials sealed and marked many of Swat’s illegal riverbed hotels. They’ve made it clear that any construction near the rivers without legal clearance will no longer be tolerated. This crackdown is about saving lives, not just enforcing rules.

The action has expanded to places like Dir and Malakand, but the focus remains on Swat. The area draws thousands of visitors each year, and the risk of more disasters is too high to ignore.

Locals are divided some say this should have happened years ago, while others fear for their income. Still, most agree that lives matter more. Authorities believe that clearing Swat’s illegal riverbed hotels is the first step toward safer, more responsible tourism.