Pakistan: A shocking video showing a journalist being swept away by powerful floodwaters during a live broadcast at Chahan Dam has gone viral, sparking national outrage and raising urgent questions about media safety protocols. The video, though not independently verified by The Daily Jagran, shows the reporter standing in rising waters, mic in hand, before being engulfed by the current—only his head and microphone visible in the final moments.
The incident has become a focal point of online debate, with many praising the journalist’s dedication, while others slammed media houses for endangering reporters for TRPs. Journalist associations are now demanding stricter safety regulations for coverage in disaster zones.
The devastating floods, triggered by heavy monsoon rains since June 26, have claimed at least 159 lives across Pakistan. Punjab is the worst-hit, accounting for 103 deaths, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan, and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Rawalpindi has been particularly affected due to the breaching of Chahan Dam, severely hampering rescue operations.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports that over 1,000 homes have been destroyed, leaving thousands displaced. A high flood alert has been issued for the River Jhelum at Mangla, with fears that nearby streams could overflow, endangering more communities within 24 hours.
Experts blame the escalating crisis on unchecked urbanization, poor drainage, and climate change-linked extreme weather. Relief efforts are ongoing, but thousands remain stranded without power, clean water, or essentials. Citizens are urged to avoid flood-prone areas as more rains are forecast.