Diamer: A state of emergency has been declared in the Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan following devastating flash floods caused by a cloudburst near Babusar Top, resulting in at least five fatalities and widespread destruction. Rescue operations are ongoing.
According to Diamer Deputy Commissioner Ata-ur-Rehman, the flash floods were triggered by a cloudburst that struck near Babusar and Thak. The floods claimed five lives — four tourists and one local resident — while a three-year-old child from a tourist family remains missing.
Rescue teams, including local volunteers, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts, and the Pakistan Army, are actively engaged in search and rescue operations. Tracker dogs have been deployed to assist in locating missing individuals. So far, over 200 stranded tourists have been safely relocated to secure locations.
The DC confirmed that 10 to 15 vehicles, including passenger coasters, were swept away in the floodwaters. Approximately 7–8 kilometers of the Babusar road have been completely destroyed, and landslides have made the road impassable. The communication infrastructure has also been damaged, including power lines and fiber optic cables, causing connectivity issues in the region.
Efforts are underway to bring heavy machinery to affected areas for road clearance and infrastructure restoration. Some equipment has already reached the site, and work is also beginning from the Naran side to reopen the Babusar route.
Massive Infrastructure Damage
Government spokesperson Faizullah Firaq stated that the floods have destroyed a girls’ school, two hotels, a police check post, a police shelter, and over 50 houses connected to the Babusar highway. Four connecting bridges and around 15 points along the road have been completely blocked.
He added that more than 200 tourists have been moved to Chilas, where local hotels and guest houses have been opened free of charge for stranded travelers. However, many tourists remain cut off due to lack of communication facilities in Babusar.
Pakistan Army Joins Relief Efforts
The Pakistan Army has launched aerial rescue operations, using helicopters to transport tourists and locals to safety from both Babusar and the Karakoram Highway. Relief teams are providing food, water, and medical care to the injured. Additionally, engineering units are working to clear blocked roads and restore mobility.
Search and rescue teams have been deployed to locate missing persons as authorities continue to battle against time and weather conditions.