Gilgit-Baltistan is facing widespread devastation as rapidly melting glaciers, fueled by an ongoing heatwave, have triggered severe floods across the region. The resulting floods have swept away crops and damaged dozens of homes, with landslides further complicating the situation by blocking the Karakoram Highway at multiple points.
According to reports from Pakistani newspaper Dawn , the rapid glacial melt has led to the overflowing of rivers and streams in various parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, causing severe flooding. In addition to the destruction of crops and homes, key roads such as the Karakoram Highway and the Gilgit-Shandur Road have been rendered impassable.
Officials have reported that the Karakoram Highway, which stretches from Gilgit to Khunjerab, is blocked at several locations. Mudslides have closed the road in areas like Jaglot in Gilgit and the village of Shishkat in Hunza, stranding thousands of travelers, including both foreign and local tourists.
Overflowing streams have also blocked the Gilgit-Ghizer Road at multiple points. According to police sources, the flooding in various streams has caused significant damage to both public and private property. More than two dozen homes have been completely destroyed, while three dozen others have sustained partial damage.
The floods have also damaged bridges, roads, water supply channels, and electricity infrastructure, cutting off several villages in Ghizer from each other.
The impact of the floods has been felt across multiple districts, including Aliabad and other parts of Hunza, as well as Shigar and Nagar. Despite the widespread devastation, there has been no official statement from the government regarding the situation. Meanwhile, multiple attempts to contact the Director General of the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority for comments have been unsuccessful.
As the region grapples with the ongoing crisis, the lack of official communication and the inaccessibility of key disaster management officials have raised concerns among the affected communities.