Flash Floods
In a large-scale rescue operation, over 200 stranded tourists were safely evacuated from Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district following severe flash floods triggered by torrential rainfall.
According to Faizullah Faraq, spokesperson for the GB government, the rescued individuals have been moved to Chilas and provided shelter in local hotels and guest houses. Many had been cut off for hours before finally establishing contact with their families.
The flash floods, which ravaged the Babusar area, have left a trail of destruction and loss. At least five lives have been claimed since Monday, with one more casualty confirmed by Diamer Deputy Commissioner Attaullah Kakar.
Search operations remain active, as authorities believe up to 30 tourists are still missing. Rescue efforts are being carried out with the support of the Pakistan Army, which is deploying helicopters to provide food, medical assistance, and evacuate those stranded.
The Diamer administration has declared a state of emergency on the Thack-Babusar Road and suspended all tourist movement from Zero Point to Babusar Top. A formal notification urged both tourists and locals to immediately move to designated safe zones, warning against travel on the severely damaged road.
The devastation includes the destruction of over 50 homes, a wheat depot, a girls’ school, police checkpoints, and key infrastructure such as bridges and mosques. Authorities have deployed heavy machinery to restore the road network and begin rebuilding critical links, including parts of the Karakoram Highway.
In Skardu, similar flash floods stranded hundreds of tourists. According to Rescue 1122 and the Baltistan Division Police, nearly 413 tourist vehicles were trapped on the Deosai–Sadpara road. The road was cleared overnight, and all stranded individuals were rescued by morning.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a landslide alert for northern regions including Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Diamer, and Astore in GB; Neelum, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, and Poonch in Azad Jammu and Kashmir; and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, such as Chitral and Dir. Several key mountain roads—including Kohistan Road, Kolai Palas, and Hunza Road—are under threat.
In Rawalpindi, a retired army officer and his daughter went missing after their car was swept away by floodwaters. Rescue efforts are ongoing.
Since June 26, monsoon-related disasters have claimed 234 lives nationwide, with Punjab bearing the brunt. The NDMA reports over 826 homes damaged and 203 livestock killed. Alarmingly, over 60% of fatalities were due to house collapses.
In response to the widespread damage, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has instructed telecom operators to ensure uninterrupted services and maintain emergency response capabilities, particularly in high-risk areas.
With more rains expected, the situation remains critical. Authorities urge citizens to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow official advisories to ensure their safety.
