Gilgit-Baltistan – The death toll from the devastating GB floods has tragically risen to 10, officials confirmed on Sunday. As rescue teams from the Pakistan Army and local administration race against time to find missing tourists, the government of Gilgit-Baltistan has made an urgent appeal to the federal government for a Rs7 billion aid package to handle the unfolding crisis.
What’s Happening in Gilgit-Baltistan? Tourists Missing After Deadly GB Floods
The region has been battered by flash floods triggered by intense monsoon rains and cloudbursts, leading to what the Chief Minister has called a “climate emergency.” The destruction has been widespread, with critical infrastructure destroyed and hundreds of homes washed away, leaving communities isolated and in desperate need of help.
This disaster highlights the severe and increasingly visible impact of climate change on Pakistan’s northern regions, where the situation remains critical.
GB Floods: The Latest Updates: The Human Cost of the Floods
Rescue and search operations are focused on the Babusar Highway in the Diamer district, which has been the hardest-hit area. According to a statement from GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, the death toll in the region now stands at 10.
- Fatalities: Seven deaths were reported from the Babusar area, two from Thore Valley in Diamer, and one from the Astore district.
- Search for the Missing: Operations are still underway to find 10 to 12 tourists who are feared missing after their vehicles were swept away. On Sunday, the body of an unidentified woman was recovered from the Indus River. Mr. Faraq stated: “The body could be that of one of the tourists swept away at the Babusar Highway.”
“Search operations are underway on Babusar Highway by personnel of the Pakistani Army, district administration and other institutions,” the spokesperson added, confirming that relief efforts were also active in other affected districts like Ghanche and Ghizer.
A Region in Crisis: The Call for Aid
The scale of the destruction has overwhelmed the local government’s resources. Gilgit-Baltistan’s Chief Minister, Haji Gulbar Khan, held a press conference where he detailed the catastrophic damage, estimated to be over Rs20 billion.
He has formally written to the Prime Minister, appealing for an emergency fund of at least Rs7 billion:
“People in GB are facing daily flood events. At least one flood occurs every day,” the Chief Minister said, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The damage assessment so far includes:
- 300 homes completely destroyed.
- 200 homes partially damaged.
- 40 water channels and 15 kilometers of roads washed away.
- Widespread damage to bridges, crops, and other public infrastructure.
The Chief Minister explained that the regional government’s emergency budget is only Rs1 billion, which is not nearly enough to handle a disaster of this magnitude.
“The federal government should announce a separate reasonable grant for the relief of flood disasters,” he urged.
Rescue and Relief Operations: GB Floods Worsen, Rescues Underway
Despite challenging conditions, rescue operations are in full swing. A major focus has been on evacuating hundreds of tourists who were left stranded by landslides and road closures.
According to government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, most of the tourists trapped in the popular Fairy Meadows area have been successfully rescued and moved to safer locations. In a positive development, he also confirmed that the Karakoram Highway, often called the Silk Road, has been restored for all traffic after being blocked by landslides.
The Pakistan Army and other agencies are using helicopters and C-130 aircraft to airlift stranded people and deliver essential supplies like tents, food, and medicine to the affected communities.
A National Disaster – Pakistan’s North Reels from Flooding
While the GB floods have been catastrophic, the crisis is part of a larger national disaster. In Punjab, thousands of people have been displaced from low-lying areas as rivers continue to swell from the heavy monsoon rains.
This ongoing tragedy across the country serves as a powerful reminder of Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change. As authorities continue their relief efforts, there is an urgent and growing call for long-term solutions to protect communities from these increasingly frequent and deadly weather events.
