Even before the floods hit, the peace and beauty of Pakistan’s Swat valley had been shattered by a Taliban invasion and a violent army counter offensive. Up to two million people were displaced by the fighting. It was only in the Spring of this year that the Pakistani army managed to bring this rugged and picturesque area—once referred to as the “Switzerland of Pakistan”—back under government control.
And then the second storm hit. Heavy monsoon rains turned the Swat river into a devastating force, pulling houses off the banks and collapsing roads. According to Pakistani officials, every bridge across the river was destroyed. Towns and villages were suddenly cut off from the rest of the world, leaving foot trails and helicopter flights as the only way to bring in relief supplies. At a one helipad, the photographer watched as some flights were loaded with food and disaster aid, while others were loaded only with soldiers, weaponry and ammunition.
Link: Storm in the Swat Valley – By Tomas van Houtryve / VII Network