Buner, Shangla, Bajaur, Battagram, Swat, and Mansehra are regions that have always captivated us with their breathtaking natural beauty. With their snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear lakes, rushing waterfalls, and dense forests, these valleys seem like a paradise on earth. However, today, these mountains tell a harsh story, marked by frequent floods, relentless rains, landslides, and an unbroken chain of climate crises that cast doubt on our future.
Who can forget the devastating floods of 2022 that shook the nation? Millions were displaced, thousands of villages were wiped out, and fertile lands lay barren. This catastrophe affected not only the mountainous parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but the entire country as well. Official records report over 1,700 lives lost and 33 million people affected. The economic damage surpassed 30 billion dollars, severely impacting Pakistan’s economy. Settlements along the Swat River vanished, hotels and shops were swept away, and entire communities lost everything.
But have we learned from this disaster? Sadly, no. As of 2025, the situation remains grim. Heavy rains in June have once again devastated Swat, Buner, Bajaur, Battagram, and Shangla. Many lives were lost, and hundreds of homes and farmlands were destroyed. In one tragic incident in Swat, thirteen members of a single family were swept away in a flood. Local authorities watched helplessly as victims awaited relief.
Experts warn that without a change in our approach, the frequency and severity of floods in Pakistan could increase by 300 to 500 per cent in the coming years. According to the German Watch Climate Risk Index, Pakistan has been among the top ten countries most affected by climate change for over two decades. The mountainous regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are particularly vulnerable due to their geography and reliance on glaciers.
So, will we remain passive, or is it time for us as a nation and society to take responsibility?
The first major issue is construction. We have allowed homes, hotels, and shops to be built along riverbanks and streambeds for short-term convenience and lower costs. However, when the rains turned into storms, these structures became death traps. The worst damage in the 2022 and 2025 floods was to buildings constructed in the water’s path. To avoid future catastrophes, all construction must be at least 500 feet away from streams. Legislation alone won’t suffice; local governments must enforce this strictly.
The second critical problem is deforestation. Once, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s mountains were covered in thick forests. Trees held the soil, absorbed rainwater, and helped control floods. But illegal logging, demand for firewood, and unchecked land use have left the mountains barren. Research confirms that deforestation dramatically increases flood risks. The Billion Tree Tsunami was a beacon of hope, planting billions of trees, but political disputes and poor maintenance have harmed this effort. To safeguard our future, tree planting must become a permanent national mission, not just a slogan.
Thirdly, solid waste management poses a significant challenge. Today, streams in Swat and Shangla are clogged with plastic and garbage, polluting water and blocking flow, which makes floods more dangerous. Villages are overflowing with waste but lack effective disposal systems. Communities need to recycle and compost, while the government should set up local waste management plants to ease this crisis.
Water scarcity is another looming threat, as glaciers are melting quickly. While floods ravage the land on one hand, water shortages threaten our future. Agriculture, the backbone of our economy, suffers the most. We must adopt modern irrigation systems, like drip irrigation, and conserve rainwater. Efficient water use at the household level is urgently needed.
Building small dams and ponds is also essential. These structures can store rainwater, support farming, and reduce flood flow. If such measures had been in place during the 2022 and 2025 floods, the damage could have been much less severe.
In the energy sector, urgent action is needed. The burning of wood remains the biggest threat to forests. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s mountains receive abundant sunshine, and large-scale solar energy usage could solve electricity shortages and protect forests.
These may sound like simple solutions, but without action, nothing will change. The real question is: as a nation, are we ready for this transformation? Are we willing to abandon old habits, or will we wait for even more devastating disasters in the coming years?
The mountains repeatedly remind us: “Save us, and we will save you.” If we destroy them, they won’t spare their people. Time is short, and the choices are difficult but unavoidable. We must protect our mountains, forests, and water resources—our very lifelines. Otherwise, future generations will never forgive us.
