G.BALTISTAN: The important Gilgit-Chitral route remains closed five days after floodwaters submerged it in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
Since June, Pakistan has faced severe flooding triggered by cloudbursts, glacial lake outbursts (GLOFs), and heavy monsoon rains. These natural calamities have caused significant loss of life and injuries nationwide, with the GB region among the most affected areas.Ghufranullah Baig, Deputy Director of the Disaster Management Authority in Ghizer, explained, “Five days ago, floodwaters deposited heavy stones and debris at Gopis Khatam, diverting the river and flooding approximately 2,000 feet of the Gilgit-Chitral road.”
He added that the blockage has severed land connectivity between Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, hampering transportation and relief efforts. “The terrain’s ruggedness and debris buildup have made immediate repairs challenging. Heavy machinery is being deployed, but it will take several more days to clear the route,” Baig stated.
He further mentioned that rising floodwaters and debris have increased water levels by hundreds of feet, complicating efforts to establish alternative connections via the road. The delivery of heavy equipment remains a logistical hurdle.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif allocated Rs4 billion to assess infrastructure damages and support reconstruction in GB following recent flood disasters. During his visit to GB, the Prime Minister reviewed damage assessments and distributed relief funds to those affected.The region’s crisis deepened when deadly floods swept through the Babusar area on July 21, causing landslides and infrastructure destruction. So far, ten fatalities, mostly tourists, have been reported, with 10 to 15 tourists still missing.
Additionally, a glacier burst in Bagrot Valley claimed one life and injured another, according to regional officials. On July 20, cloudburst-induced floods in Ghizer and Hunza damaged critical irrigation channels in Ghalapan village, impacting over 50,000 forested acres.
