When the Swat flood struck last Friday, one man’s quick thinking saved nearly 900 young lives. Principal Saeed Ahmad noticed rising water levels near the school around 9 a.m. and immediately ordered a full evacuation. Within 15 minutes, all students and teachers had left the premises. Moments later, floodwaters swept through and destroyed large parts of the building.
A Timely Decision That Saved Hundreds
Local officials confirmed that nearly 900 students were present during the incident. Thanks to Ahmad’s decisive call, a major tragedy was avoided. Half of the school, including boundary walls and the playground, was washed away. The devastating floods have already claimed more than 350 lives across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the past three days, making Ahmad’s leadership a beacon of hope in an otherwise grim situation.
Videos shared from Swat show the scale of destruction, with entire neighborhoods submerged. Residents describe the scenes as some of the worst floods in decades.
Also read No Babar or Rizwan in Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Ahmad, who has been the school’s principal for 12 years, drew on past experience to make his call. The same building had been destroyed during swat flood in 1995. Remembering that tragedy, he acted swiftly to protect his students.
Ongoing Threat of Heavy Rains
Authorities have warned that monsoon rains this year are far stronger than in 2024, with rainfall up nearly 60 percent. Meteorologists expect two to three more spells of heavy rain until early September, raising fears of further destruction.
While the school is now in ruins, the survival of hundreds of children stands as a testament to one principal’s bravery and judgment under pressure. His actions have earned him praise across Pakistan, with many calling him a hero of Swat.
