Flash floods have ravaged Gilgit-Baltistan, leaving at least nine people dead, including two women and two children, and 10 to 12 others missing, according to the regional government. The disaster, which struck multiple districts, has caused unprecedented destruction, with Diamer bearing the brunt of the human and material toll.

The floods have demolished 500 homes, washed away 12 kilometers of roads, and swept 27 bridges and 22 vehicles into the torrents. Countless shops, cattle sheds, and thousands of feet of construction timber have also been lost. Twelve people have been injured, and while over 300 stranded travelers and tourists have been rescued, ongoing landslides and powerful water currents are hampering search efforts for those still missing. The Pakistan Army and Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts have been instrumental in conducting rescue and relief operations.

Faizullah Firaq, spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, highlighted the scale of the destruction and the challenges in restoring critical infrastructure like roads, electricity, and water supply amid continuous flooding and debris flow. Despite these obstacles, the government has pledged comprehensive support to flood victims, ensuring they are not left to fend for themselves.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif responded to the crisis by ordering accelerated rescue and rehabilitation efforts nationwide, with a focus on restoring key highways such as the Karakoram and Naran-Babusar-Chilas routes, which remain closed due to landslides. He emphasized providing stranded passengers with essentials like food and accommodation and stressed the importance of measures to prevent epidemics in flood-affected areas. Sharif also directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities, and regional agencies in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to coordinate strategies for upcoming monsoon spells, while urging municipal bodies to improve drainage systems to mitigate urban flooding.

The tragedy adds to the toll of this year’s monsoon season, with the NDMA reporting 245 deaths, including 118 children, across Pakistan. Expressing sorrow for the lives and property lost, Sharif offered prayers for the victims and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting affected communities.

As rescue operations continue and the region braces for potential further monsoon impacts, the focus remains on aiding survivors and rebuilding shattered infrastructure in Gilgit-Baltistan.