Swat — Principal Saeed Ahmad is being hailed as a hero after his timely decision to evacuate 900 students from a Swat school saved them from raging floodwaters that destroyed the building minutes later.
At around 9 a.m. Friday, Ahmad noticed a dangerous rise in water levels in a nearby stream and immediately ordered a full evacuation. Within 15 minutes, all students and teachers were safely outside. Shortly after, powerful floodwaters swept through the campus, tearing down half of the school’s structure, its playground, and boundary walls.
Officials said nearly 900 students were present that morning, and Ahmad’s action prevented what could have been one of the deadliest school tragedies in recent memory.
Ahmad, who recalled the same school being destroyed by floods in 1995, said his past experience pushed him to act without hesitation.
The disaster is part of wider flooding across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where 350+ people have died in just three days, with dozens of schools and homes washed away. Officials warn that with 50–60% more rainfall than last year, heavy rains may continue through early September.
