Ghizer Cloudburst Floods: Alarming Impacts Disrupt Life in Gilgit-Baltistan

Shyok Times | News Desk

Ghizer cloudburst floods have disrupted daily life across parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, damaging homes, farmland, orchards, roads and electricity infrastructure as heavy rain triggered flash floods and landslides.

Several areas of Ghizer district were affected early Saturday. In Naubahar village, floodwater damaged the Gushgush Jamaat Khana and destroyed crops, fruit trees and agricultural land.

The road connecting Immit with Barjangle was also blocked, while electricity transmission lines along the route were damaged. Residents urged authorities to clear the road and provide emergency assistance to affected families.

The Karakoram Highway (KKH) was closed between Sost and Khunjerab Top because of landslides. Authorities advised tourists to avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve. In Hunza, the KKH section between Murtazaabad and Hassanabad was later reopened after debris was cleared.

The continuing rainfall has also brought cooler temperatures across the region. Meanwhile, Babusar Top in Diamer received its first snowfall of the season, although traffic on Babusar Road continued.

According to the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority, the region recorded 120 floods linked to cloudbursts and glacier melting between June and August. The disasters damaged homes, agricultural land, orchards, irrigation channels, roads and power infrastructure.

Experts say increasingly frequent cloudbursts, flash floods, rapid glacier melting, glacial lake outburst floods and landslides indicate changing weather patterns in the mountainous region.

The latest Ghizer cloudburst floods have renewed concerns about climate resilience and disaster preparedness across vulnerable communities in Gilgit-Baltistan.

For background on climate and disaster risks, readers can consult UNDRR and WMO.

Internal link suggestions: Link “Gilgit-Baltistan climate change” to your Shyok Times climate-change coverage, and “glacier melting” to your existing glacier-related article.

External Resources (DoFollow):

Follow more on DAWN: Cloudburst-induced floods disrupt life in Gilgit-Baltistan

Read further at Minute Mirror: Cloudburst floods disrupt life across Ghizer and Hunza