WEBDESK: Gilgit Baltistan has faced severe rain, landslides, floods and cloudbursts over the past few days. The worst-hit areas include Deosai, Skardu, and Babusar.
On Monday, landslides blocked the Skardu-Deosai road at multiple points. Around 40 to 50 vehicles carrying tourists and locals were trapped.
The Pakistan Army responded immediately. Troops launched a rescue operation without delay.
Army engineering teams worked overnight using heavy machinery. They cleared the road from Skardu to Sadpara Mountaineering School and from Deosai to Sadpara village. Traffic has now resumed.
Troops remained in the area to help stranded people. They provided emergency food, first aid, and other basic needs.
Helicopters dropped 150 cooked food packets for tourists. A woman tourist from Karachi said her vehicle sank in Deosai due to flooding. She praised the army for rescuing her and her sick companion by helicopter.
Babusar and the Karakoram Highway also saw flash floods due to heavy rainfall. Many travellers and tourists were stuck. The Army and Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts flew 15 sorties to rescue all stranded people.
The injured were given medical care. Food and supplies were also delivered by air.
Clearing of debris is still ongoing on the Karakoram Highway and Babusar Pass. Search and rescue teams are active in difficult mountain areas, looking for missing persons.
Locals and tourists have praised the army’s quick response and professional work. Troops remain deployed to deal with any further emergencies.
Authorities have asked the public to avoid non-essential travel to the affected regions.
Meanwhile, across Pakistan, the monsoon has turned deadly. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports 221 deaths so far.
The highest number of fatalities was reported in Punjab 135 people have died and over 470 were injured. In the past 24 hours alone, five more people died, including three children.
A total of 592 people have been injured across the country. This includes 221 children.
Fatalities occurred due to collapsed buildings, electrocution, lightning, drowning, and landslides.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 40 deaths were reported. Sindh has seen 22 deaths, Balochistan 16, Azad Kashmir 1, and Islamabad 1. Gilgit-Baltistan reported three non-fatal incidents.
Over 800 houses have been damaged or destroyed. In just the past day, 25 houses collapsed. Five livestock animals also died.
Damaged houses include 168 in Punjab, 220 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and dozens more in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
