HASSAN ABDAL – In a heartbreaking incident that highlights the growing dangers posed by monsoon flooding in the region, four women lost their lives and a child remains missing after a vehicle was swept away by a rapidly swelling stream in the Jabbi area of Hassan Abdal on Tuesday.
According to initial reports from rescue services and local police, the tragic event occurred when the family was attempting to cross a normally shallow watercourse in their vehicle. Due to days of continuous rainfall, the stream had turned into a raging torrent. As the driver tried to navigate across, the powerful current overwhelmed the vehicle, dragging it several meters downstream and submerging it under muddy, fast-flowing water.
Eyewitnesses say the scene unfolded in moments. Despite desperate cries for help and efforts from bystanders, the force of the water was too strong to allow any immediate rescue. Local residents quickly contacted emergency services, who launched a full-scale operation to locate the missing passengers. The bodies of four women were recovered later in the day, while rescue teams continued their search for the missing child well into the night. Divers and rescue officials from Rescue 1122 were seen combing the stream using boats and search equipment, but as of the last update, the child had not yet been found.
The victims, according to locals, were members of the same family and had reportedly been traveling to a nearby village when the tragedy struck. Their names were not immediately released, as authorities were in the process of notifying relatives and confirming identities.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many residents expressing grief and outrage over the repeated loss of life during the rainy season. “This is not the first time someone has died here,” said one local resident. “Every year, during the monsoon, these streams become deadly, and there are no warning signs or barriers to stop people from trying to cross.”
Authorities have issued advisories in recent days, urging the public to avoid traveling through flood-prone areas during heavy rain, especially in rural and hilly regions. However, many such warnings go unheeded due to a lack of alternative routes or awareness about the risks involved. Some also blame inadequate infrastructure and poor flood management for the repeated tragedies in such areas.
A spokesperson for Rescue 1122 confirmed that the search operation would continue until the missing child is found and called on the government to place stronger safety measures in flood-sensitive zones. “People need to understand that these water channels, though dry or shallow most of the year, can turn deadly in minutes during monsoon. We also need permanent solutions like bridges, signs, and better planning to prevent such disasters,” he said.
As the monsoon season continues to batter various parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, emergency services remain on high alert, responding to calls related to flash floods, landslides, and other rain-related incidents. This latest tragedy in Hassan Abdal is a grim reminder of the vulnerability of many rural communities during extreme weather.
Funeral prayers for the victims are expected to be held today, with many in the community mourning what could have been an avoidable loss. Meanwhile, the search for the missing child presses on, as hopes fade but the determination to bring closure to the grieving family remains strong.
