Over 200 Tourists Rescued in Gilgit-Baltistan as Flash Floods Wreak Havoc, Government Issues Landslide Alert
Gilgit-Baltistan – July 22, 2025:
More than 200 stranded tourists have been rescued from Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district after torrential rains triggered flash floods, sweeping through major roads and mountain routes in the region. The government has now issued a landslide alert as rains continue to batter northern Pakistan.
The flash floods, caused by cloudbursts and relentless monsoon rains, struck the Babusar and Diamer areas, killing at least five people, leaving 15 missing, and damaging critical infrastructure.
Rescue Operations in Full Swing
According to Faizullah Faraq, spokesperson for the GB government, the rescued tourists were safely shifted to Chilas, where they’ve been provided shelter in hotels and guesthouses. Many of them were able to contact their families after being cut off for hours.
District Commissioner Attaullah Kakar confirmed that the death toll has reached five, with four victims identified. Military helicopters have been deployed to provide medical aid, food, and evacuate tourists from hard-hit areas like Babusar Top.
Roads Washed Out, Vehicles Swept Away
Over 30 tourist vehicles were swept away by strong floodwaters. The Karakoram Highway (KKH) and Babusar Road remain partially blocked, leaving thousands stranded on either side.
A social worker from the area, Muhammad Ali, told reporters that most rescue efforts were first carried out by locals who rushed to save trapped families even before official help arrived.
In Deosai, over 400 tourist vehicles were left stranded due to landslides closing off roads at ten different points. The Baltistan Division Police later confirmed that rescue efforts were successful in shifting tourists to Skardu once roads were cleared overnight.
Read more: Babusar Top Cloudburst: Five Tourists Dead, Several Missing After Flash Floods in Gilgit-Baltistan
Homes, Mosques, Schools Among the Damage
The devastation has extended beyond roads and vehicles. According to the GB government:
- Over 50 homes have been damaged.
- A wheat depot, girls’ school, and tourism police shelter have been washed away.
- Four bridges, two mosques, and a windmill were also destroyed.
Flash floods in areas like Barge Nullah, Dhagyol Nullah, and Shagri Bala have inundated homes and destroyed crops on the outskirts of Skardu.
NDMA Issues National Landslide Alert
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of increased landslide risks in the following areas:
- Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Astore, Diamer, and Ghanche (GB)
- Muzaffarabad, Neelum, Bagh, Haveli, and Poonch (AJK)
- Chitral, Dir, and Kohistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Several key mountain roads—including Jaglot Skardu Road, Hunza Road, and Tatta Pani Road—are at risk of being blocked due to landslides.
The public has been strongly advised to avoid travel to mountainous regions, riverbanks, or streamside areas until the weather stabilizes.
Monsoon Death Toll Climbs to 221 Nationwide
In a separate statement, the NDMA confirmed that 221 people, including 104 children and 40 women, have died in rain-related incidents across Pakistan since June 26. More than 500 others have been injured.
Just last month, 13 tourists lost their lives in Swat when flash floods swept them away while they sheltered along a riverbank.
