GILGIT: At least 10 people were killed and three injured as fresh heavy rainfall and subsequent flash floods struck various parts of Gilgit-Baltistan again on Thursday.
Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said Ghizer district was worst affected by Thursday’s floods, where eight people, including a child and a woman, had lost their lives.
Two others, he added, were killed in Diamer after being washed away by a river.
Earlier, a spokesperson for Rescue 1122 Ghizer, Raja Ajmal Nazir, told HUM News English that new flash floods have severely affected Yasin, Ishkoman, and Khalti areas in the district.
He said he received a message from the rescue team operating in Khalti area of Ghizer confirming at least four fatalities with one person still missing.
Rescue operations for the missing individual are ongoing. The floods have damaged over six houses, three shops, several vehicles, and other properties in the village.
Read more: Flash flood claims at least 34 lives in Held Kashmir, 200 missing
DISCONNECTED
Faraq said the Karakoram Highway (KKH) in Upper Hunza, Baltistan Highway, Babusar Road, Deosai Road, and Skardu-Sadpara Road remain inaccessible at several points.
Faraq said that Ghizer district was hit by destructive flash floods.
“The floodwaters have destroyed a water storage tank in Thoi and caused significant harm to the private school and dispensary. Road infrastructure in the area has been severely impacted, with several roads in Yasin Thoi rendered unusable,” he added.
The spokesperson said that Dapas, Haraf, and Ashkai, have also been submerged due to the flooding. Faraq confirmed that several houses have been affected by the floods in Yasin.
In Ishkoman, floodwaters blocked the Ghizer River, submerging several areas. Authorities have advised immediate evacuation of low-lying areas in Gilgit.
In Diamer, flash floods triggered by heavy rains submerged parts of Babusar Road, disrupting traffic and causing widespread damage. Faraq said that two sections of the road were blocked.
“One child was injured, several houses partially damaged, and a local vehicle swept away by floodwaters,” he said, adding that crops and agricultural land also suffered significant harm.
He said that Thore Nullah in Chilas overflowed, causing severe damage to farmland. The floodwaters devastated large stretches of agricultural areas, Faraq noted.
He said that the Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister directed authorities to expedite road restoration. “Immediate relief measures are underway, with Diamer’s administration and police assisting in the efforts,” the spokesperson said.
Faraq said that Zero Point and Babusar Top sections were temporarily closed, while Tourist Police were deployed to ensure travelers’ safety.
“Repair work has begun, with Babusar Loshi area already cleared. Tourists and commuters are urged to remain cautious,” Faraq added.
In Hunza’s Gulmit-Gojal area, the KKH remained blocked for the third consecutive day, leaving thousands of people — including tourists — stranded.
GLOFS ALERT
Meanwhile, the Hunza River’s water level stayed higher than usual, submerging low-lying areas in Gilgit, including Jaglote, Jutal, and Danyore.
In Hassanabad, Hunza, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) continued to wreak havoc, causing further land erosion and forcing the dismantling of two more houses to protect valuables.
The development took place as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned that a fresh monsoon rain spell during the current week is likely to trigger more floods and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“A wet spell is likely to affect Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the current week. During this period, scattered rain and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy falls, are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” reads a GLOF alert issued by PMD.
The Met Office said that the prevailing weather conditions increase the risk of GLOFs, flash flood, and landslide events in vulnerable glaciated regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
It advised all concerned authorities to remain alert and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation.
