Up To 15 Tourists Missing As Flash Floods Wreak Havoc In Gilgit-Baltistan Emergency Declared In Diamer

(MENAFN- Tribal News Network) At least 10 to 15 people are missing and five confirmed dead after torrential rains triggered flash floods and landslides in Pakistan's mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region, officials confirmed on Wednesday. Among the missing are tourists believed to have been swept away near Babusar Top in the Tangir area of Diamer district.

The GB government has declared an emergency in the affected areas as rescue efforts continue amid difficult weather conditions. Landslides and blocked roads have also left thousands of travelers stranded, while key highways remain closed.

According to initial reports from local residents, the missing individuals were caught in a powerful flood torrent that swept through the valley late Saturday night. Officials say search operations are ongoing, but the exact number of missing persons has yet to be confirmed.

Heavy Rain Forecast for KP, Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan: Met Office

Director General of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Mehr Sahibzad Khan, warned that more heavy rainfall is expected in the coming days across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

He noted that the area around Babusar Top, where the missing tourists were last seen, has witnessed extensive damage and potential casualties due to the severe weather.

In Lahore, 108 mm of rain was recorded in a single morning, with the wet spell forecast to continue for another 48 hours. The Met Office has advised the public to avoid travel to vulnerable regions due to risks of flash floods, landslides, and falling trees.

Emergency Declared in Diamer, Rescue Operations Underway

In Diamer, authorities have declared a state of emergency following the flood disaster. At least five fatalities have been reported so far, while over 50 houses, two hotels, a girls' school, a police post, and a police shelter were completely destroyed by the floodwaters.

The disaster also damaged around 8 kilometers of road and four bridges along the Babusar route, cutting off vital links and further complicating rescue efforts. A total of 15 separate roadblocks have been reported, and communication lines in the area remain heavily disrupted.

According to Faizullah Faraq, spokesperson for the GB government, all tourists stranded on Babusar Pass have been rescued, with local hotel owners and authorities providing free accommodation. He added that the government has contacted Kohistan district administration for assistance in locating the missing individuals swept away downstream.

The Karakoram Highway remains blocked at two major points, stranding thousands of travelers, while the Silk Route is only open to light vehicles. Efforts are underway to restore access up to Basham, officials said.

Faraq also urged the public to avoid travelling to Gilgit-Baltistan until the situation normalizes, emphasizing that the priority remains saving lives and restoring connectivity. Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan is expected to visit the flood-affected areas of Babusar today.

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