May 4, 2023
3 mins read

Climate change and floods dampen tourism in Swat Valley

The tourism sector of Swat Valley took a hit at the very beginning of the business season this year due to flooding caused by heavy rains…reports Asian Lite News

People associated with the tourism industry in Pakistan are facing loss of millions of rupees due to lack of tourists in the valley. Those involved in hotels, restaurants and jeep businesses have been badly affected by the floods caused by the recent rains, reported The News on Sunday (TNS).

The tourism sector of Swat Valley took a hit at the very beginning of the business season this year due to flooding caused by heavy rains. On April 18, a heavy downpour caused flooding in the Swat River’s Daral Khwar stream and affected business of hotels and shops in the Bahrain Bazaar, reported TNS.

Swat Valley is one of the major tourist attractions in Pakistan. It is known as the Switzerland of Pakistan, it has one of the oldest civilizations in history and one of the most beautiful scenery one could ever see.

The weather patterns and recent rain spells indicate that climate change is among the major challenges the tourism sector will have to adapt to.

Swat, Dir and Chitral are three districts particularly vulnerable to climate change. Nestled in the Hindu Kush mountain range, these areas are regularly struck by flash floods, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) and land sliding, reported TNS.

Last year’s devastating floods had already washed away the bridge on Daral Khwar, Bahrain, which was a vital link that provided travellers access to the picturesque Kalam Valley, a major tourist attraction in Swat. The bridge has still to be repaired.

The other route, a road link from Bahrain to Kalam was lost in the recent rains. Many tourists who had come to Upper Swat to celebrate Eid with their families were stuck in the area as were the residents of Upper Swat.

The residents of Swat recorded a protest in Mingora City to express their dismay over the situation. They demanded that the authorities step in to clear the roads and repair the bridge. The protesters stressed the need to expedite work on the Bahrain-Kalam road, reported TNS.

The tourism season started early this year because of the Eid holidays. Many people, however, cancelled their plans to visit Swat Valley following the rain-induced floods.

Uzma, a 21-year-old from Peshawar, said she and her family cancelled their plans to visit Swat over the Eid holidays after she received a text message on the situation from the government. “Recent heavy rains, in upper Swat. The Kalam road is closed due to floods in Bahrain. Avoid travelling on the Swat River route,” read the cautionary message.

Rooh-ul Amin, a resident of Charsadda had to cancel the plans after the locals confirmed that the road to Kalam was not in a good condition. Syed Niaz Ali, the owner of a hotel in Kalam, estimates that compared to last year the number of tourists has dropped by at least 80 per cent, reported TNS.

“Reconstruction of the hotels damaged by floods last year has been started. The main problem is that the Bahrain-Kalam road is in a state of disrepair. That discourages tourists from visiting,” said Ali.

The setback is felt, not just by the hotel owners but also by other people associated with Swat’s hospitality sector. Service providers, drivers, tourist guides, porters, local handicrafts industry, trout fishermen and small business owners are just some of the people whose livelihoods are at stake.

The tourism industry in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received its first shock during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was still reeling from the aftermath when floods inundated the province, last year and caused large-scale devastation. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Election delays raise questions about Pakistan’s democratic process

Previous Story

Election delays raise questions about Pakistan’s democratic process

Next Story

Dissident voices in China raise concerns about rights abuses

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan FM Due in Bangladesh

During his visit Dar will hold discussions with the Foreign Affairs Advisor Towhid Hossain and also call on Muhammad Yunus…reports Asian Lite News Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar

Balochistan: Where the State Makes People Disappear

The victims include students, journalists, and peaceful protesters, many of whom were abducted from cities such as Karachi and Islamabad….reports Asian Lite News A human rights organisation on Monday revealed that 785

Monsoon Havoc in Pakistan

Since June 26, torrential rains have killed at least 299 people—including 140 children—and injured 715 in Pakistan…reports Asian Lite News Since June 26, torrential monsoon rains have devastated Pakistan, killing at least

Bangladesh’s Dark Turn

With the Awami League outlawed and absent from the electoral fray, a vacuum has emerged — one that has not necessarily been filled with stability….reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh’s political landscape has
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Pakistan looks for alternate pipeline instead of PSGP

Moscow sent a letter to Islamabad on June 7, informing

Women stripped and beaten on charges of theft

Soon they began beating the four women, stripped them and