SWAT: The picturesque upper Swat was profoundly affected by climate change in 2022 when Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (Glofs) ravaged the area, creating a sad narrative of despair and devastation.
The calamitous occurrences transpired atop the high glacial peaks, encompassing the communities of Kamar Khwa, Serai, Badai, Mankiyal, Utror, Palogah, Matilitan, and Gbral, thereby causing extensive devastation.
The catastrophic floods destroyed more than 200 houses, vast tracts of agricultural land, expansive pastures, mosques, watermills, micro hydropower stations, irrigation channels and every bridge connecting the valley’s villages.
Locals said that the last flood was unprecedented, accompanied by enormous glaciers and boulders that destroyed everything in its course.
A ray of hope appeared with the implementation of “Scaling-up Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (Glof-II) in Northern Pakistan” initiative, which was funded by Green Climate Fund and implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through ministry of climate change.