Gilgit-Baltistan | July 22, 2025 — Torrential monsoon rains have unleashed devastating flash floods in Gilgit-Baltistan, leaving a trail of destruction across multiple districts. The disaster has resulted in at least four confirmed tourist deaths, injured two, and left 15 others missing, as heavy rain-triggered floods swept through Babusar in Diamer district.
Tourist Tragedy Unfolds in Babusar
In one of the worst-hit areas, the Thak region of Babusar bore the brunt of nature’s fury. According to Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, the flash floods in Gilgit-Baltistan swept away eight tourist vehicles, washing them into the raging waters. As a result, rescue teams have recovered four bodies, including that of a woman from Lodhran, Punjab. Two injured tourists were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Despite the hazardous conditions, rescue workers quickly launched operations, successfully saving hundreds of stranded tourists. Many affected individuals have found shelter and food through the generosity of local residents, who opened their homes in a show of solidarity and compassion.
In the same area, a portion of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) suffered serious damage, further complicating rescue efforts. Thousands of tourists and travelers remain stranded on both sides of the highway, as infrastructure and communication lines lie disrupted.
Senior Superintendent of Police Abdul Hameed warned that the situation remains critical due to the high intensity of the flood, which carved a destructive path stretching over seven kilometers. He revealed that between 20 and 30 tourists, hailing from different regions of Pakistan, are feared missing. However, rescue efforts continue despite mudflow and logistical challenges.
flash floods in Gilgit-Baltistan Ravage Ghizer and Yasin Valleys
Simultaneously, the Ghizer district experienced widespread devastation, as cloudbursts triggered sudden floods in the villages of Kanche and Salpi. These flash floods in Gilgit-Baltistan destroyed more than a dozen homes, submerged agricultural lands, and annihilated vital infrastructure.
In Upper Thui, Yasin, heavy rainfall on Saturday night triggered another wave of flooding. The disaster flattened six residential homes and damaged several others, including a school managed by the Aga Khan Education Service. Large swaths of wheat fields and apricot and cherry orchards were also destroyed, posing long-term threats to local livelihoods.
Victims from these hard-hit areas have urgently appealed for immediate governmental assistance, requesting relief supplies, housing, and restoration efforts.
Infrastructure Crumbles Amid Climate Chaos
The impact of flash floods in Gilgit-Baltistan has not been isolated to a single region. In Skardu, authorities placed Gamba station on high alert following threats of overflowing nullahs in Bargi and Sadpara. Rescue 1122 and local administration officials reported significant damage to homes, drinking water channels, irrigation systems, and roads.
Baltistan Commissioner Kamal Khan visited the affected areas and mobilized emergency machinery to restore the region’s water supply and road networks. Despite the rapid response, the scale of destruction continues to grow.
Furthermore, the Khunjerab River’s rising water levels damaged the Karakoram Highway in Passu, Gojal. Officials warned that this could potentially cut off the upper valleys from the rest of the region, severing Pakistan’s only road link with China via Khunjerab Pass.
According to Director of the Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (GBEPA), Khadim Hussain, the region is experiencing unprecedented high temperatures and humidity, which have persisted for over six weeks. These extreme weather conditions are fueling recurring cloudbursts that lead to violent, fast-moving flash floods in Gilgit-Baltistan the mountainous terrain. Rockslides and mudflows downstream further amplify the destruction.
Monsoon Downpour and Flood Alert in Punjab
Meanwhile, in Mansehra, Torghar, and the Kohistan districts, continuous rainfall triggered landslides, blocking critical link roads in the Kaghan, Siren, and Konsh valleys. These landslides are hampering movement and isolating communities, adding to the mounting challenges caused by flash floods in Gilgit-Baltistan.
In a related development, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a flood alert for the rivers Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej, predicting medium to high-level flows from July 21 to 23. According to the PDMA’s latest Daily Situation Report, the Indus River at Taunsa is currently at a medium flood level with water inflows of 429,200 cusecs.
Consequently, PDMA instructed the commissioners and deputy commissioners across Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Multan, Faisalabad, and other vulnerable districts to implement precautionary measures immediately and remain on high alert.
A Growing Climate Crisis in the North
The flash floods in Gilgit-Baltistan have once again highlighted the devastating effects of climate change in Pakistan’s northern regions. As temperatures soar and unpredictable weather patterns continue, the frequency of cloudbursts and extreme flooding is likely to increase. Without urgent investment in climate resilience, early warning systems, and sustainable infrastructure, such disasters could become the new normal.
For now, the focus remains on rescue, relief, and rehabilitation, as affected communities battle nature’s fury with courage, resilience, and the hope of recovery.
