Amid rising devastation from flash floods in Gilgit-Baltistan, authorities have reopened the Karakoram Highway, restoring a vital lifeline for stranded residents and tourists. Heavy rains, melting glaciers, and cloudbursts triggered the floods that left at least nine dead and hundreds displaced, while emergency rescue and relief operations continue across the region.
Highway Reopened After Massive Disruption
On Saturday, Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq confirmed that the Karakoram Highway (KKH) had been cleared for all types of traffic. The route, blocked by landslides and heavy mudflow just a day earlier, was restored after the government dispatched machinery to remove debris and reopen the artery.
The KKH, a crucial transportation link between Pakistan and China, had remained inaccessible following severe landslides in multiple locations. Its reopening has allowed relief teams and supplies to reach flood-hit areas more effectively.
Widespread Destruction in Multiple Districts
Floods caused by glacial melting and erratic weather patterns swept through GB earlier this week, destroying over 500 homes, roads, and other critical infrastructure. The worst-hit areas include the Kunduz region and Ghanche district, where homes, standing crops, water channels, electricity poles, and shops were washed away.
Faraq said that local authorities have so far distributed hundreds of tents, thousands of food packets, and essential medicines to affected communities.
Read: Localised Flooding Feared Amid Rain in Northern Pakistan
Search and Rescue in Full Swing
Multiple rescue operations remain underway. Faraq noted that around 10 to 12 people were feared missing in the Babusar Valley. The Pakistan Army, GB Scouts, Rescue 1122, and local volunteers are actively involved in locating survivors. However, heavy rainfall, frequent landslides, and rapidly rising water levels have slowed down efforts.
In Fairy Meadows, near the basecamp of Nanga Parbat, a helicopter rescue mission successfully evacuated four tourists—one man and three women—stranded due to the floods.
Free Flights and Helicopter Evacuations
To facilitate stranded people, the GB government launched free and special air evacuations. Chief Secretary Abrar Ahmed Mirza said on Friday that 135 people, including 80 tourists, were flown from Skardu to Islamabad on a C-130 military aircraft. Another special flight is planned from Gilgit to Islamabad.
In cooperation with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Pakistan Army, the GB administration also arranged helicopter services to evacuate tourists, students, and patients from flood-affected zones.
Mirza emphasized that the coordinated response from local communities, military forces, and civil administration had helped minimize casualties and ensured the timely evacuation of hundreds.
Damage Assessment and Relief Efforts
According to Mirza, the cloudburst at Babusar Valley was particularly destructive. It swept away nearly eight kilometers of road leading to Babusar Top, destroyed two dozen vehicles, and left hundreds stranded.
He added that so far, 12 kilometers of roads, 26 bridges, 20 vehicles, water channels, cattle sheds, and irrigation and drinking water systems have been damaged. Public and private properties, as well as agricultural land, also suffered significant losses.
Despite the damage, Mirza assured that the government is responding swiftly. Relief efforts include food distribution, shelter provision, and medical support in severely affected areas.
Government Takes Preventive Measures
In response to the growing threat of climate-induced disasters, the National Disaster Management Authority earlier this week issued a landslide warning for the northern areas. Citizens have been advised to avoid non-essential travel to mountainous regions, and local administrations have been directed to remain on high alert.
The GB government has also scheduled a press conference, where Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan and his cabinet will address the ongoing crisis and announce rehabilitation measures.
As the region grapples with one of its worst flooding events in recent years, the focus remains on rescue operations and preventing further loss of life. Continued coordination between civilian and military agencies, along with support from volunteers, remains vital to stabilize the situation.