ISLAMABAD: At least six tourists have died and 15 remain missing after heavy rains triggered flash floods across Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region, in yet another stark reminder of the intensifying impact of climate change on the country.
The devastating effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident in Gilgit-Baltistan, as cloudburst-triggered floods continue to cause destruction across the region.
The flood-related death toll rose to six on Thursday, after four people died and 15 were reported missing on Monday, as per local media reports.
GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq confirmed that rescue teams recovered another body in the Babusar Valley. “The search operation to locate the remaining missing tourists in Babusar is still ongoing,” he said.
According to Rescue 1122, several areas in GB’s Ghanche district were hit by flash floods. In the Kandos villages, the floods damaged a dozen homes, a dispensary, mosques, farmland, and crops.
It also stated that flash floods in Sikarkoi damaged several houses and other infrastructure in Dass Mohallah and the surrounding areas in Gilgit.
Body recovered
Separately, rescue teams on Thursday recovered the body of a retired colonel who had gone missing after his car was swept away by floodwaters and plunged into a drain in Rawalpindi last week.
The search for his daughter is still ongoing, according to rescue officials.
Rescue operations began on Tuesday after Retired Colonel Ishaq Qazi, aged between 62 and 64, and his 25-year-old daughter were reported missing when their vehicle was carried away by heavy rainwater.
District Emergency Officer (DEO) Sibghatullah said, “The body of Ishaq had been found near the Soan River bridge, while rescue operations are underway to look for his daughter.”
On Tuesday morning, two girls were among four people swept away in separate incidents due to flash flooding in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Flood alert issued
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of likely flash flooding over the hill torrents of Dera Gazi Khan division in Punjab, along with streams of east Balochistan.
According to the Met Office alert, issued on Thursday, “Flash flooding is expected over the hill torrents of DG Khan division along with streams of east Balochistan”.
Pakistan experiences monsoon rains annually from June to September. These heavy downpours often lead to deadly floods, landslides, and large-scale displacement, especially in vulnerable, poorly drained, or densely populated areas.
Last week, a state of emergency was declared in several districts of Punjab after torrential rains caused severe flooding, claiming more than 60 lives in just 24 hours.
