Faizullah Firaq, spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, says intense rainfall and flooding cause huge loss to life and property
GILGIT-BALTISTAN: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-July 23rd, 2025) Torrential rains and flash floods have caused large-scale devastation across Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly in the Babusar Top region, where 10 to 15 people reportedly swept away by floodwaters remain missing. Authorities have advised tourists to avoid traveling to the region until further notice.
Faizullah Firaq, spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, said that the intense rainfall and flooding caused huge loss to life and property.
All tourists who were stranded on the Babusar Highway have been successfully rescued and are being provided with free accommodation by the government and local hotel owners.
The spokesperson further stated that access roads to Naran and Kaghan are currently closed, and the Karakoram Highway is blocked at two critical points, leaving thousands of travelers stranded in different areas. The Silk Route remains open for small vehicles, and repair work up to Bisham is ongoing at a fast pace.
Firaq urged the public to postpone any travel plans to Gilgit-Baltistan until the situation is brought under control. He added that the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan is expected to visit the affected regions, including Babusar, to assess the damage firsthand.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Meteorological Department has warned of further heavy rainfall in the coming days across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan. He expressed concern over the tragic loss of lives at Babusar Top and said that more damage could occur if weather conditions persist.
In Diamer district, a state of emergency has been declared after flash floods claimed five lives. Rescue operations are ongoing in Babusar, where multiple tourists were reportedly washed away.
The floods also caused widespread structural damage in the region.
A girls' school, two hotels, a police checkpoint and more than 50 homes located along the Babusar road have been completely destroyed.
An 8-kilometer stretch of road has suffered major damage, with 15 points blocked and four key connecting bridges washed away by the floodwaters.
