NMDA issues a landslide alert for northern regions of country in view of forecasted monsoon rains and potential slope instability
BALTISTAN: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-July 22nd, 2025) Due to the recent flooding in Babusar and at Karakoram Highway, Pakistan Army launched a rescue operation for stranded tourists and travelers.
Tourists and travelers have been safely evacuated to secure locations through Army helicopters.
So far, fifteen helicopter sorties have been conducted to transport people to safety.
Pakistan Army and Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts teams are delivering food and essential supplies to the affected individuals.
Immediate medical aid is also being provided to the injured.
Road clearance efforts are ongoing, with machinery and personnel continuously working to restore routes.
Obstructions on Babusar and Karakoram Highway are being removed.
Search and rescue teams have been dispatched to locate missing persons.
Pakistan Army has also conducted a rescue operation on Skardu-Deosai Road hit by landslides at various locations.
After tireless efforts throughout the night, Pakistan Army’s engineering teams, using heavy machinery, have completely cleared the road from Skardu to Sadpara Mountaineering school and from Deosai to Sadpara village.
All blocked routes have been reopened and the stranded individuals and vehicles have been safely evacuated.
Traffic has resumed and is now flowing smoothly.
Army troops remain deployed in the area to respond promptly to any potential emergency situation.
Local residents and tourists have praised the Pakistan Army for their timely action and professional capabilities.
Meanwhile, National Disaster Management Authority's National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) has issued a landslide alert for northern regions of the country in view of forecasted monsoon rains and potential slope instability.
As per meteorological projections, isolated rainfall is expected across various valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, including Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Astore, Diamer, Ghanche, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Haveli, Bagh and Poonch.
Additionally, widespread heavy rainfall is forecasted in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Chitral, Dir, Kohistan and adjoining mountainous zones.
Due to this weather pattern, there is a heightened risk of landslides, mudslides, rockfalls, and ground subsidence in several vulnerable locations.
All concerned Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), rescue services, local administration, armed forces, and humanitarian partners including NGOs and Civil Society Organizations have been advised to ensure the presence and readiness of response personnel, machinery, and emergency equipment in the sensitive areas.
Travelers and residents in these areas have been strongly advised to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary movement, especially on steep or unstable slopes.
