MINGORA, June 5: Water level in Swat river has risen alarmingly, submerging the main Mingora-Matta and Kabal road. As a result, traffic has been suspended and authorities have diverted it to Khwazakhela route, increasing the distance between Mingora and Kabal by 60km.

The building of a government school has also come under water. The water flow posed a threat to the nearby police lines, which has almost been evacuated.

Recently, NWFP Assembly Speaker Bakht Jehan Khan and Provincial Irrigation Minister Hafiz Akhtar Ali visited the site, but failed to rectify the situation.

Sources said the government allocated Rs1 million for the construction of protection walls on the river banks but work is yet to start.

Two people drowned when part of a dilapidated bridge collapsed on Thursday.