Chitral, June 2, 2026: Rescue efforts to locate two teenage sisters who drowned in the Chitral river in Gahiret village on Sunday have been suspended.
According to officials of Rescue 1122 Lower Chitral, multiple teams of trained divers and swimmers were deployed to comb downstream areas from Gahiret village to the border locality of Arandu. Despite the large-scale effort, no trace of the victims was found.
The search operation was halted at dusk on Sunday and resume the following morning.
Authorities stated that rescue activities have been significantly hindered by rising temperatures in the region, which have accelerated the melting of glaciers. This has caused a sharp increase in the river’s water level and current speed, making conditions extremely hazardous for search teams.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when the two sisters reportedly slipped and fell into the fast-flowing river while fetching water in Gahiret village.
Officials noted that continued efforts will depend on weather conditions and water levels, as the challenging terrain and strong currents posed serious risks to rescuers as well.
Published in Dawn