GILGIT-BALTISTAN: Torrential rains in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Thak Babusar area of Diamer district triggered severe flash floods, leaving at least three tourists dead, four injured, and 15 missing. The floods, which swept away eight tourist vehicles, also crippled the region’s road network.
Government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq confirmed that the Thak-Babusar route was the worst affected, with heavy damage and ongoing rescue operations. Authorities are racing to recover the missing as efforts continue across the flood-hit region.
Three bodies have been retrieved, while four injured tourists were taken to a hospital — one in critical condition. With debris blocking roads and terrain challenges, rescue teams are struggling to reach affected areas, where hundreds remain stranded in makeshift shelters.
The Babusar Highway is blocked in multiple locations, isolating several villages. Communication has also been severely disrupted due to damage to optical fiber lines.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army has launched rescue missions in Deosai, airlifting tourists to safety in Babusar and nearby zones. Restoration work on Skardu Road is in progress, and routes from Deosai to Sadpara have been cleared. The Army is also distributing food, including 150 ready-to-eat meals, to those stranded.
Thousands of tourists are stuck in the region, with local communities providing shelter and support. The Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister has instructed emergency teams to prioritize evacuation and aid efforts. Floods have wrecked infrastructure, destroyed farmlands, and isolated entire communities.
This catastrophe follows a deadly flood in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on June 27, which claimed over 75 lives in Swat.
The NDMA has issued landslide warnings for northern areas, including Gilgit, Skardu, Astore, Hunza, and Chitral. Travel to these areas is discouraged. The national monsoon death toll has now reached 221, with Punjab reporting the highest casualties.
