KP and GB Flash Floods
Severe flash floods and landslides have struck Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), claiming multiple lives, damaging vital infrastructure, and cutting off key transportation routes. The disaster, driven by rising temperatures and heavy monsoon rains, has put rescue teams on high alert.
Tragic Loss of Lives in KP
In KP’s Torghar district, a young man named Mohammad Zamin drowned in the Indus River after a sudden surge in water levels. Rescue 1122 spokesperson Atiqullah Afridi confirmed that divers are still attempting to retrieve his body.
In Mansehra’s Jabba nullah, an eight-year-old boy, Ibrahim, was swept away when a dried stream unexpectedly overflowed. According to Rescue 1122 spokesperson Amir Khadam, search operations are ongoing despite the challenging conditions.
Karakoram Highway Blocked by Landslides
The Karakoram Highway, a vital route connecting GB to the rest of Pakistan, has been blocked at five locations due to landslides in Gonar Farm and Mola Dad Pari areas. The Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) confirmed that massive debris and mud have suspended traffic on both sides of the route. Heavy machinery is on-site, but clearance work remains hampered by high water levels.
Infrastructure Damage in GB
In GB’s Diamer district, flash floods in Ghushay, Batogah, and Khinar nullahs destroyed water supply schemes and damaged local infrastructure. While no human casualties have been reported in the region so far, officials are still assessing the full extent of the damage.
In Hunza’s Nagar region, heavy flooding blocked the main road to Hopper Valley at Supultar Nullah, bringing large boulders and mudflow that halted travel. Authorities say clearance work will begin once water levels recede.
Government Issues High Alert
GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has ordered all relevant departments, including the GBDMA and district administrations, to remain on high alert. He instructed deputy commissioners to take immediate preventive measures, ensure timely rescues, and initiate rehabilitation efforts wherever needed.
The National Emergencies Operation Centre has already issued warnings for further heavy rainfall and potential flooding in the coming days.
Widespread Impact Across Pakistan
The recent flooding comes as part of a larger weather crisis affecting multiple provinces. Over the past two weeks, more than 22 people have died and 11 have been injured in KP alone due to incidents related to heavy rains, strong winds, landslides, and flash floods.
In Punjab and KP, six people were killed just last Sunday following intense downpours. Balochistan, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi have also reported fatalities linked to extreme weather.
In Swat, 18 people were swept away by a sudden surge in the river, highlighting the deadly force of the current monsoon season.
Climate Change and Glacial Melt: The Underlying Cause
Experts warn that the combination of glacial melt from rising temperatures and heavy monsoon rains is creating a dangerous cycle in Pakistan’s northern regions. Accelerated melting increases river and nullah levels, making sudden flash floods more frequent and destructive.
