Flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district have killed five people and stranded over 200 tourists, intensifying the ongoing disaster in the region. The keyword flash floods defines the crisis, as rising waters and landslides wreak havoc on both local communities and visiting travelers.
Cloudburst Sparks Chaos
The cloudburst hit the area between Jal and Diyung, sparking sudden floods and landslides that caused severe destruction. Diamer district officials confirmed that four tourists and one local resident have died. Three bodies were transported to Regional Headquarters Hospital in Chilas, where one injured person remains under treatment.
Authorities reported 14 to 15 major road blockages caused by debris, boulders, and landslides. These disruptions have hampered emergency response efforts and left entire stretches of road inaccessible.
Army’s Rapid Response
The Pakistan Army launched a major helicopter-based rescue operation to evacuate stranded tourists from Babusar Road and the Karakoram Highway. So far, the Army has conducted 15 sorties, relocating hundreds to safer areas.
Clearance operations between Thalichi and Chilas have partially restored access, though Babusar Road remains fully blocked. Three key points along Gandalo Nala are still cut off, and heavy machinery has been deployed to continue clearance work.
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Local authorities worked alongside security forces to arrange transport and accommodations. Stranded tourists were moved to nearby hotels using facilities such as the Girls’ Degree College and local police vehicles.
Top Officials on Site
Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police Diamer visited the disaster zone. They managed to reach the midpoint of the affected area, but the remaining stretch was impassable due to unstable terrain and large rock formations.
Emergency teams continue to push through difficult conditions to restore access and rescue anyone still stranded. Parts of the Karakoram Highway at Lal Parhi and Tatta Pani remain closed, with 10 to 15 vehicles still stuck in flood-hit nallahs.
Locals Offer Shelter in Skardu
In Skardu’s Sadpara village, local residents opened their homes and an Imambargah to shelter tourists caught in the floods near Deosai National Park. The Sadpara-Skardu Road had become impassable due to flooding, stranding multiple travelers returning from Deosai.
Villagers offered food, shelter, and emotional support to the tourists overnight. Many visitors praised the hospitality and compassion shown, calling it a moving display of humanity during crisis.
Islamabad Suffers Flood Casualties
In Islamabad, torrential rains led to several flash flood incidents on Tuesday. Three people died in separate cases, including a youth and an 8-year-old girl.
Hamid Shah, aged 17–18, slipped and drowned in a drain near Burji Stop in Humak. In another incident, Ishaq Qazi and his 25-year-old daughter died after their car was swept away by floodwaters near Phase 5 of a housing society.
Additionally, rescue teams are still searching for 8-year-old Inadiya, who reportedly fell into a drain in Christian Colony, Khanna.
Government Orders Emergency Relief
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the flood-related deaths. They directed authorities to provide immediate relief and rehabilitation to affected communities.
The prime minister instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to coordinate with provincial governments and stay ready for further emergencies. He also tasked the National Highway Authority and Frontier Works Organisation to urgently restore road access across the affected regions.
Both leaders emphasized the need for fast, coordinated efforts to protect lives and infrastructure, promising full government support to those impacted by the floods.
Community Spirit in Crisis
Despite the devastation, stories of solidarity have emerged. From the Army’s rescue missions to villagers offering refuge, Pakistanis are responding with courage and compassion. As recovery continues, the focus remains on restoring access, rescuing the stranded, and protecting lives from the ongoing threat of flash floods.
