More than 200 tourists trapped by flash floods in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district have been rescued and shifted to safety, the regional government confirmed on Tuesday. The flooding has caused widespread devastation, leaving multiple areas isolated and infrastructure damaged.
According to Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, the rescued tourists have been relocated to Chilas and are being housed in hotels and guesthouses, where they have now re-established contact with their families.
The death toll from the disaster has risen to five, with 15 people still missing, said Diamer Deputy Commissioner Attaullah Kakar. A day earlier, four tourists were confirmed dead, and two others injured, after a cloudburst unleashed flash floods in the Babusar area. Authorities warn the toll could rise as rescue efforts continue.
Landsliding in Gilgit-Baltistan stranded tourists and caused casualties.
As per Senior Superintendent of Police Abdul Hameed, an estimated 20 to 30 tourists from various parts of Pakistan are still unaccounted for. The Pakistan Army, alongside civilian authorities, is actively involved in rescue operations, using helicopters to evacuate stranded individuals and deliver aid.
Due to the dangerous conditions, the Diamer administration has declared a state of emergency along the Thack-Babusar Road, suspending all tourist movement between Zero Point and Babusar Top. A notification by District Magistrate Ataur Rehman directed that all travel on this route be halted until further notice. Tourists and residents have been strongly advised to evacuate to designated safe zones.
Heavy rains have increased flood risks in Pakistan.
An emergency control room has been established to coordinate the relief response and can be reached at 05812-920181 and 05812-930037. Six companies have been instructed to deploy heavy machinery, including excavators, to aid in road clearance and potential body recovery.
According to DC Kakar, the Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA) is delivering medical supplies and food to affected areas via helicopters. One of the recovered bodies is scheduled to be transported today by air.
Torrential rains inundate key roads in Lahore.
Local social worker Muhammad Ali reported that 30 vehicles were swept away, with many rescues carried out by local residents. The Babusar Road remains blocked due to thick mud and debris, while over 50 houses have been damaged.
The floods also destroyed critical infrastructure, including:
- A wheat depot
- A girls’ school
- A police checkpoint
- A tourism police shelter
- Four bridges
- Two mosques and a windmill
Work is already underway to restore damaged portions of the Karakoram Highway (KKH), which remains partially impassable, leaving thousands stranded on both sides.
‘Hundreds’ Rescued in Skardu
In Skardu, flash floods also wreaked havoc, injuring three people in Sadpara village and affecting the Kharmang district.
According to Baltistan Division Police spokesperson Ghulam Muhammad, 413 tourist vehicles were stranded on the road connecting Sadpara and Deosai due to flooding at ten different points. Overnight efforts allowed police to restore the road and rescue all stranded individuals by morning.
Flash floods were also reported in Barge Nullah, Dhagyol Nullah, and Shagri Bala Nullah, causing damage to homes, public infrastructure, and crops.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a landslide alert for vulnerable areas across Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, urging residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel and remain alert amid continued extreme weather.
