At least five tourists have been confirmed dead, three injured, and 15 reported missing following devastating floods triggered by heavy rainfall in the Thak Babusar region of Diamer district, Gilgit-Baltistan.  The torrential downpour caused flash floods that swept away eight tourist vehicles and paralysed the area’s road network. 

According to Faizullah Faraq, the spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, the worst-hit area is along the Thak-Babusar route, where floodwaters caused widespread destruction. The situation remains critical as rescue operations continue at a heightened pace, with authorities racing against time to locate the missing.  Three bodies have been recovered so far, and four injured tourists have been shifted to hospital for urgent medical care.

One of the injured is reported to be in critical condition. As rescue teams navigate through debris-strewn roads and challenging terrain, hundreds of stranded tourists remain in temporary shelters. Government sources revealed that Babusar Highway is blocked at several locations, isolating numerous villages and cutting off vital access routes. Optical fiber communication lines have also been severely disrupted, hampering connectivity and coordination. 

The Pakistan Army's rescue operation to evacuate stranded tourists in Deosai is successfully underway. Tourists are being airlifted to safer locations, including Babusar and nearby areas, via army helicopters.  Restoration work on the Skardu Road is also in progress, supported by army pilots and engineering teams. The landslide-affected section between Skardu and the Sadpara Mountaineering School has now been cleared, and the route from Deosai to Sadpara village has been reopened. Army personnel continue efforts to remove remaining debris.

In addition to rescue operations, the Pakistan Army is providing food and essential supplies to those stranded. Around 150 ready-to-eat meal packets have been delivered to affected areas by helicopter.  Hundreds of tourists are stranded in the region, with many locals stepping in to provide shelter and support. While some stranded individuals have been successfully rescued by the authorities, dozens more have been accommodated by residents of nearby villages. 

The Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan has instructed emergency teams to deploy all available resources for the evacuation and assistance of affected individuals. Floodwaters have destroyed roads, damaged farmlands, and severed links between multiple communities.  This disaster follows an earlier flood incident in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on 27th June, where more than 75 individuals, including women and children, were swept away in Swat River after torrential rains led to massive surges at seven different locations. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)