Karakoram Highway closed, Ghizer worst hit by more flash floods
GILGIT/LAHORE: Flash floods triggered by cloudbursts and rapid glacial melting wreaked havoc across Gilgit-Baltistan on Tuesday, damaging homes, roads, bridges and agricultural land, while leaving hundreds of tourists and local residents stranded in several districts.
As a result, the Karakoram Highway (KKH) was closed for traffic near Altashi Nullah in the Gini area of Chilas.
Authorities have warned that rising water levels in the Hunza, Nagar and Indus rivers, as well as other streams, posed a threat to downstream communities, with riverbank erosion reported in several areas.
Heavy rainfall triggered flash floods in various parts of the region, with Ghizer district among the worst affected where an artificial lake was created when flash floods in Mayon village blocked the Ishkoman River. According to local authorities, the artificial lake inundated Hasis village, submerging dozens of houses, agricultural land and public infrastructure.
Residents of the affected homes were evacuated after floodwater entered the village. Locals said at least 15 houses were damaged, while a school, a mosque, agricultural fields and other critical infrastructure remained under water. The Ghizer-Ishkoman Road was completely blocked by the artificial lake, severing road access to the Ishkoman Valley, though authorities later said water had started flowing out of the temporary lake.
Flash floods also damaged homes and agricultural land in Sherqila, while flooding was reported in Salpi, Aishi, Damas, Haim and Dilnati. Floodwaters also damaged roads and brought down electricity poles at several locations, disrupting power supply.
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain directed the GB Disaster Management Authority and district administrations to expedite rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations.
In Gilgit district, cloudburst-induced floods caused widespread damage in the upper reaches of Naltar Valley.
According to Rescue 1122 officials, the floods damaged 12 houses, destroyed agricultural land and crops, and displaced several families. The Naltar Highway was blocked at multiple points, leaving tourists stranded.
In Upper Hunza, rapid glacial melting damaged sections of the Karakoram Highway near Gulmit. The administration said rising water discharge from Juchar Nallah in the Gojal area temporarily blocked the highway before it was reopened.
Jalalpur Pirwala embankments
As heavy monsoon rains also caused urban flooding in several Punjab cities, provincial minister Khwaja Salman Rafique visited flood-prone areas and protective embankments in Jalalpur Pirwala to review flood preparedness.
Accompanied by PDMA Director General Saif Anwar Jappa, the minister inspected flood embankments, rescue arrangements, evacuation plans and relief preparedness.
He said two protective embankments at Jalalpur Pirwala and Nooraja Bhatta had been built at a cost of Rs2 billion, while Rescue 1122 and other departments had been equipped with modern machinery and rescue equipment. He said the government had ensured adequate resources for flood protection.
Multan Commissioner Amir Karim briefed the minister that the newly completed 7.2-km embankment at Jalalpur Pirwala would protect the town from backflow in the River Chenab. Digital mapping of flood-prone areas had also been completed, while all departments remained on high alert.
According to the PDMA, widespread rainfall was recorded in Punjab, with authorities working to drain accumulated rainwater. The weather system is expected to persist until Wednesday.
Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026
