Rawalpindi, Pakistan – A dramatic video showing Pakistani journalist Ali Musa Raza being seemingly swept away by raging floodwaters during a live broadcast has gone viral across social media. The incident, which occurred amidst severe monsoon rains and flooding in Pakistan, particularly near Chahan Dam in Rawalpindi and the Koh Sulaiman region in southern Punjab, sparked widespread concern. However, multiple media outlets have since confirmed that Raza is safe and unharmed.
The footage, primarily shared from regional media outlet Rohi TV (for which Raza was reportedly reporting) and initially circulated via an X (formerly Twitter) post by Pakistani broadcast journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah, shows Raza standing neck-deep in fast-moving floodwaters. Only his head and a microphone clutched in his outstretched hand were visible above the water.
During his report, Raza can be heard describing the intensifying current, stating, “As you can see, the current is getting stronger,” and “It’s pushing me ahead, you can control yourself while standing here.” Towards the end of the viral clip, the current overwhelms him, and he appears to be dragged under the water as his microphone cable seems to detach.
While the video ends without showing the immediate aftermath, subsequent reports from various media outlets, including Mint, NDTV, The Indian Express, and Hindustan Times, have confirmed that Ali Musa Raza managed to safely exit the floodwaters. There have been no official reports of injuries or casualties involving him.
The incident has ignited a debate online, with some users commending Raza’s “fearless commitment” to journalism and his efforts to highlight the plight of flood-affected residents. Others, however, have raised concerns about the extreme risks taken by journalists in such perilous conditions and questioned the judgment of deploying reporters without adequate safety measures.
Pakistan has been grappling with severe monsoon rains, leading to widespread flooding and a rising death toll. According to Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), over 120 people have died in climate-related incidents across the country in recent weeks, with a significant number of fatalities resulting from house collapses, flash floods, drowning, and electrocution. Rawalpindi, a city adjacent to the capital Islamabad, has been particularly affected, with residents near rivers being urged to evacuate due to rising water levels.
