Landslides blocked major roads, including the Karakoram Highway (KKH), and stranded thousands of people in Gilgit-Baltistan. Among them were many foreign tourists. Flash floods also damaged fibre optic cables, which disrupted mobile and internet services across the region.
According to Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, “KKH is blocked at Achar Nallah in Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.” He explained that thousands of passengers on both sides of the highway cannot move. While the KKH section inside GB is open, clearance work in Kohistan continues. Several points on the Babusar Pass Road remain inaccessible.
Rescue teams have already evacuated all tourists from the Babusar route. Mr Faraq confirmed, “We brought them to Chilas, where local hoteliers and government authorities provided free accommodation.”
Floods in Babusar Valley destroyed the main optical fibre cable and caused a complete communication blackout for six hours. The Special Communications Organisation reported the damage and arranged emergency satellite systems. These measures restored limited connectivity, but users still faced slow internet speeds. Work to fully restore the system has already begun.
Deputy Speaker of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, Sadia Danish, voiced concern for 40 people stuck in Danyore’s Manogah Nallah. “The government must launch a helicopter rescue operation immediately,” she said.
Danish also praised the Pakistan Army, volunteers, and residents for supporting rescue efforts and thanked locals who opened homes, mosques, and hotels to stranded tourists.
Meanwhile, river erosion swept away the Hotu suspension bridge in Shigar, cutting off the only access to K2 base camp. This incident left many foreign climbers and trekkers stuck, while eight villages also lost road connections. NDMA officials announced plans to operate a C-130 flight from Gilgit to Islamabad to airlift travellers.
GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan vowed to continue rescue operations until everyone is safe. He declared Thaki, Niyat, Khunra, and Thor in Diamer as disaster zones.
The chief minister announced compensation for families of those who died and ordered urgent restoration of water, electricity, and roads. He personally visited flood-hit areas with senior officials to monitor recovery work.
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