GILGIT: A devastating flash flood swept through multiple villages in Ishkoman Valley of Ghizer district in Gilgit-Baltistan, damaging 64 homes across eight locations, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
According to Faizullah Faraq, spokesperson for the G-B government, floodwaters that struck eight locations in the valley on Wednesday inundated 65 homes in the villages of Faizabad and Daudabad, with 22 houses completely destroyed and 42 partially damaged.
“In addition, 18 shops, vast agricultural lands spanning thousands of kanals, fruit-bearing trees, forests, and two wooden factories were swept away by the floodwaters. The destruction also affected two vehicles, a community center (Jamat Khana), and DJ High School,” Faraq said in a statement.
He added that the floods damaged two kilometers of roads, three kilometers of a power channel, and 18 irrigation channels.
The spokesperson said that the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan has ordered the rapid escalation of rescue operations in affected areas. “Local district administration officials, alongside disaster management teams, have already arrived on-site to assess damages and provide aid to victims,” he added.
Faraq noted that the Gilgit-Baltistan government has issued fresh warnings and alerts regarding new spells of rainfall across the region. He said deputy commissioners in all districts have activated emergency control rooms, with their contact numbers publicly released
The spokesperson said that the Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasted heavy rains in Gilgit-Baltistan over the coming days, raising concerns over glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), landslides, flash floods, and road blockages. He urged tourists to avoid non-essential travel and advised local residents to stay away from low-lying areas.
Faraq reported that search and rescue operations continue along Babusar Road, though no breakthroughs have been made in locating missing tourists. He reiterated the government’s commitment to rehabilitating flood victims, adding, “We are working with the federal government to compensate for losses. We will not leave the affected people alone in this difficult time.”
PMD WARNS OF FLASH FLOODS
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning for heavy rains and potential flash floods from Thursday night in the northern regions.
“Tonight, heavy rains may trigger flash floods in local streams of Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Kohat, Karak, Hangu, Tank, Dera Ghazi Khan, Murree, Galliyat, and Kashmir,” the PMD stated in its daily weather report.
The Met Office cautioned that heavy rainfall, windstorms, and lightning could damage vulnerable structures such as roofs, walls, electric poles, billboards, vehicles, and solar panels. “Landslides in mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, and Galiyat may disrupt traffic flow,” it added.
The PMD also predicted widespread rain with thunderstorms and gusty winds across eastern Pakistan today, affecting regions including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Bahawalpur.
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