Torrential rains since Monday afternoon have triggered devastating flash floods across Gilgit-Baltistan’s Babusar region, particularly in the Diamer and Ghizer districts, killing at least five people—four tourists and one local—and leaving 15 others missing.
On Monday afternoon, a sudden cloudburst triggered mudflows and landslides along a 7-8km stretch of the Babusar route, sweeping away vehicles and washing out infrastructure. Regional authorities have confirmed the recovery of five bodies, adding at least two people are currently hospitalized in Chilas.
Apart from the casualties, the floods have swept away eight vehicles of tourists, with police estimating that dozens of vehicles and travelers were caught in the deluge.
Amidst the disaster, a task force comprising the Pakistan Army, Rescue 1122, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and local volunteers is undertaking relief efforts. Thus far, according to local officials, over 200 tourists have been rescued, evacuated via army helicopters and ground teams, and temporarily sheltered in hotels and guest houses in Chilas with the aid of local residents.
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has directed authorities to utilize all available resources to expedite rescue and relief operations. The efforts are hampered, however, by mudflows, blocked roads due to landslides, and disruption of communication and electricity.
Infrastructure damage
The intense floods have washed out the Babusar Highway and sections of the Karakoram Highway, with reports of bridges, a police checkpoint, a girls’ school, a wheat depot, and a tourism police shelter destroyed. In Ghizer district, villages such as Kanche, Salpi, and Upper Thui in Yasin the floods have swept over homes, orchards, and educational institutions. Flooding in the Khunjerab River has also damaged sections of the Karakoram Highway near Passu, endangering Pakistan’s land route to China.
Amidst the ongoing disaster, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued fresh landslide and flood alerts for all northern regions, urging residents and travelers to avoid roads until the situation normalizes. A day earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department had forecast persistent heavy rain and possible landslides through July 25.
The latest calamity is part of an unusually severe monsoon season. Since late June, the NDMA has reported that 234 people have died and 596 injured in various rain-related incidents across Pakistan.