Islamabad 22 July: Rescue operations by the Army are underway in Gilgit Baltistan, a day after flood triggered by heavy rains and cloud bursts wreaked havoc on Babusar route.
According to news reports, 30 vehicles, including passenger coasters, were swept away by the flash floods. Long stretches of Babusar Road have been destroyed and four bridges washed away.
The Pakistan Army’s rescue operation to save tourists stranded in Deosai is going on and tourists are being airlifted to safe locations via helicopters in Babusar and surrounding areas.
Restoration work on the Skardu Road is also being carried out by the Pakistan Army. With the support of army pilots and engineering teams. The area affected by landslides between Skardu and the Sadpara Mountaineering School has now been declared clear.
The route from Deosai to Sadpara village has also been reopened, while army personnel are actively working to clear remaining landslides. The Pakistan Army is also providing food and other essential supplies to stranded tourists in the affected areas via helicopters.
Two mosques and more than 50 houses were also destroyed by the floods. The flood also damaged electricity infrastructure and fiber optic lines, disrupting communications –causing tourists in Thak and Babusar to lose contact with their families.
200 stranded tourists have been rescued and brought to Chilas. Hotels and guest houses in Chilas have been opened free of charge for affected travellers.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the incident occurred around 3:30pm on Monday when a cloudburst struck the Babusar Road stretch between Jal and Diyung, affecting approximately 7 kilometres of road.
Flooding and a cloudburst in GB’s Diamer district also disrupted traffic along key sections of the Karakoram Highway. According to NHA and news reports, traffic has been restored at multiple locations, including near Chilas Bazaar, Zero Point, and Governor Farm.
READ MORE: Gilgit-Baltistan Introduces Entry Fee for Tourist Vehicles and Motorcycles
The highway has also been reopened for one-way traffic at Passu and Jalkhad, while restoration work is ongoing near Tatta Pani. Diamer Deputy Commissioner Atta-ur-Rehman told the media that machinery is being transported to flood-affected areas, and in some locations it has already arrived.
He said that the injured have been shifted to the Regional Headquarters Hospital via ambulances. He added that three bodies have been recovered so far, but it remains unconfirmed whether they were tourists or local residents.
The deputy commissioner said that the district administration is committed to doing all it can in response to the natural disaster and will now begin providing food, water, and other relief supplies to affected individuals.
The Pakistan Army is actively taking part in the relief efforts and have rescued tourists stranded on Babusar and Karakoram highways.
