The Babusar-Naran Highway was partially reopened on Monday as search and rescue operations continued in Gilgit-Baltistan following devastating flash floods triggered by last week’s heavy rains.
The floods, driven by erratic weather patterns, glacial melt, and rising temperatures—hallmarks of intensifying climate change—swept through the region on July 21, leaving destruction in their wake. The disaster caused landslides, stranded numerous residents and tourists, and damaged more than 500 homes, roads, and other critical infrastructure. At least 10 people were confirmed dead and four injured.
Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq announced the partial reopening of the Babusar-Naran Highway for one-way traffic. He stated that heavy machinery had been deployed to clear debris and that efforts for full restoration were ongoing. Faraq urged travelers to exercise caution and avoid non-essential journeys.
He also confirmed that several families, including that of TV anchor Shabana Liaquat, had reached out to authorities regarding missing loved ones. Among the flood debris, officials recovered Shabana’s wallet along with student ID cards belonging to her and her child.
“The provincial government has requested the support of the Pakistan Army’s sniffer dog units to help locate individuals believed to be buried under rubble,” Faraq added.
Separately, the National Highway Authority (NHA) launched expedited road restoration operations in the northern areas, following directives from Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan. According to a report by APP, the NHA cleared several blocked segments of key highways, including the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad (N-15) and the Skardu-Jaglot Road.
Minister Khan described the 242-kilometre-long N-15 as a vital corridor for tourism and regional connectivity, which had been disrupted by landslides and cloudbursts. He said NHA teams had successfully cleared multiple obstruction points, allowing partial traffic restoration and improving access for relief teams and travelers.
Restoration work is still underway between Naran, Babusar Top, and Chilas, according to officials. Communication Secretary Ali Sher Mehsud and the NHA chairman were on-site to monitor the progress.
“We are fully committed to restoring all major highways as quickly as possible,” Mehsud stated, confirming that travel routes to Kaghan and Naran have already resumed.
The NHA has so far cleared 20 of the 25 landslide-affected points along the Skardu-Jaglot Road. To maintain the momentum of recovery, all field officers remain on 24-hour alert, staff leaves have been suspended, and an emergency response plan has been activated across Gilgit-Baltistan. Heavy machinery continues to operate in affected areas to support ongoing clearance and reconstruction efforts.
Missing TV anchor and family were swept away by flash floods
A missing tourist family of the TV anchor was swept away by flash floods at Babusar Top, local sources confirmed today.
Rescue teams, along with local residents, recovered a car and several personal belongings from the flood-stricken area.
Identification documents at the scene revealed the missing individuals to be Shabana Liaquat, a TV anchorperson from a private news channel, her husband Liaquat, and their four children.
According to the Deputy Commissioner of Diamer, the family hails from Nowshera, and intensive search efforts are underway to locate them.
The incident occurred on July 22, 2025, when sudden flash floods along Babusar Road claimed the lives of at least 15 people.
So far, seven bodies have been recovered, while seven others remain missing, including the Liaquat family.
The district administration has deployed drones and sniffer dogs to assist in the ongoing search and rescue operations across the difficult terrain.
TV anchor goes missing
Earlier reports indicated that A private TV channel female anchorperson, Shabana, has gone missing along with her entire family during a trip to Babusar Top. The family — including her husband Liaquat Ali and their four children, Aimal, Iman, and two others — was last heard from on July 21. Since then, all communication has ceased, raising alarm among relatives and colleagues.
Authorities launched a full-scale search operation after receiving the report. Rescue teams are currently using modern technology and sniffer dogs in their efforts to locate the missing individuals. Despite the difficult terrain and weather conditions at Babusar Top, the operation remains ongoing.
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