Key points
- Tourists rescued from Babusar Pass, given free lodging in Chilas
- GB chief minister declares flood-hit areas in Diamer as disaster zones
- 40 stranded in Manogah Nallah in Gilgit Baltistan
ISLAMABAD: Heavy landslides have left thousands stranded in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), including foreign tourists, as key roads such as the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and Babusar Pass Road remain blocked.
The KKH is currently inaccessible at Achar Nallah in Kohistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while inside GB, the highway has been partially reopened.
According to GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, rescue teams have safely evacuated all tourists stranded on the Babusar Pass. These individuals were relocated to Chilas, where local authorities and hotel owners have provided free lodging.
Communications severed
The situation worsened after floods in Babusar Valley damaged the region’s main fibre-optic communication cable, causing a major breakdown in mobile and internet services, Dawn newspaper reported.
Communications were down for nearly six hours, affecting a large portion of the population.
The Special Communications Organisation (SCO), a major telecom provider in the region, reported that satellite backups offered limited connectivity, and repairs are now underway.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly, Sadia Danish, raised alarm over 40 individuals stranded in Manogah Nallah in Danyore, Gilgit, calling for an immediate helicopter evacuation.
She praised the efforts of the Pakistan Army, local government, and volunteers involved in the rescue work and acknowledged residents who opened homes, mosques, and hotels to assist tourists.
K2 base camp
Further damage was reported in Shigar, where river erosion led to the collapse of the Hotu suspension bridge, cutting off access to the K2 base camp.
Several foreign climbers and trekkers are now stranded, and eight villages have been isolated.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has announced that a C-130 flight will transport stranded travellers from Gilgit to Islamabad. This airlift, scheduled for Thursday, will be free of charge and supervised by Gilgit’s additional deputy commissioner.
Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan visited flood-hit regions, declaring Thaki, Niyat, Khunra, and Thor in Diamer division as disaster zones. He announced compensation for families of flood victims and directed urgent restoration of water, power, roads, and irrigation channels.
