Bahrain, Swat: An Indigenous community on the frontlines of climate change

Bahrain (Torwali: بحرین ) is the principal town of the Torwali people, situated in the Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It lies 60 km north of Mingora, the main city in Swat, and stands at an elevation of 4,700 feet on the right bank of the Swat River.

The entire region, known as "Tehsil Bahrain," includes seven union councils and serves as an administrative unit in upper Swat. The town's name, Bahrain, meaning "two rivers" in Arabic, was given in the 1920s by the King of Swat due to its location at the confluence of the Daral and Swat rivers. Many indigenous names in the area were altered to Arabic or Persian during this period under the Wali Swat government.

Today, Bahrain is known for its riverside tourist spots, local handicrafts, and the scenic merging of the Daral and Swat rivers. It is also a base camp for trekkers heading to most of the lakes and meadows including Daral and Saidgai lakes.

As a child, the world around me was vastly different, especially before the catastrophic 2010 flood. Life seemed secure and full of hope. Now, when I reflect on those days, it feels as if I’m revisiting a dream.

Bahrain generally has a humid and warm climate throughout most of the year, with average temperatures ranging between 15°C and 30°C in summer and -5°C and 10°C in winter. The area receives about 866 mm (34 inches) of rain annually.

As a local, I've observed that temperatures have been steadily increasing over the years, which highlights the growing impact of climate change in the region.

The destructive floods of 2010 and 2022 dramatically reshaped Bahrain and its surrounding areas. Those familiar with Bahrain before 2010 would hardly recognize it today.

I recall places dear to me—schools, my cousins' homes, police stations, and beautiful bridges—all swept away by the floods of 2010 and 2022. My generation has borne witness to multiple disasters, in the beautiful valley including floods, militancy (2007/08) and earthquakes (2005).

The floods swept away vital infrastructure, including bridges, roads, hospitals, schools, and homes, forcing the reconstruction of the road network at new locations, as the original roads near the river were destroyed.

Numerous hotels, schools, and houses were lost, giving the region an entirely new look. Even long-time residents returning after a long absence struggle to find their former homes. The changes are striking and have caused deep distress within the community.

Since most of the bridges over the rivers were washed away, locals have been forced to use hazardous chairlifts to cross the fast-flowing Swat River. Tragically, more than two dozen people have drowned in the river since the 2010 floods due to these unsafe crossings.

These traumatic events have left a profound impact, contributing to widespread mental health issues, especially among the youth, as we struggle to cope with the harsh realities of an ever-changing environment.

To conclude here I must say that the people of Bahrain, like many indigenous communities around the world, are among the worst victims of climate change, despite contributing little to its causes. Their livelihoods, homes, and futures have been repeatedly devastated by natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, with climate change only intensifying these events.

The upcoming threat is that the government of Pakistan with some international agencies will divert the river Swat in a distance of 40 Kilometres between Madyan and Kalam town and will construct Hydro Stations, which will leave the valley without water and the tourist will not see the river swat for 40 Kilometres from Madyan to Kalam including the Bahrain Town.

It is imperative that the global community acknowledges the disproportionate suffering faced by indigenous populations and offers compensation and support to help them adapt to and recover from the ongoing impacts of a crisis they did not create.

Header image: Stock ID 1424465777