Cloudburst-induced floods disrupt life in GB's Ghizer, Hunza
Karakoram Highway being cleared in Murtazaabad, Hunza.—Photo by the writer • Floods damage homes, farmland and orchards; roads blocked • Babusar Top gets season’s first snowfall as experts warn of changing weather patterns GILGIT: Cloudburst-induced floods blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and other roads, damaged farmland and properties and disrupted electricity supply in Ghizer district on…
Karakoram Highway blocked, Ghizer district floods wreak havoc in GB's Hunza
Heavy rain triggered floods across Ghizer district in Gilgit-Baltistan on Saturday, blocking roads, damaging homes, farmland and orchards, and disrupting electricity supplies. In Naubahar village, the floods destroyed crops, fruit trees, and agricultural land, damaging the Gushgush Jamaat Khana. The floods also caused landslides that blocked the road from Immit to Barjangle, leaving residents cut off from other areas.
Ghizer district faces 120 floods in 120 days
From June to August, the region has experienced 120 floods triggered by cloudbursts and melting glaciers, destroying homes, farmland, orchards, trees, irrigation channels, and roads. Electricity supply systems have also been damaged, leaving residents stranded for days. Experts warn that the region's fragile ecosystem is under increasing threat from climate change, with frequent floods, landslides, and rapid glacier melting.
Temperatures drop, snowfall hits Babusar Top
Intermittent rain, thunderstorms, and lightning have continued across Gilgit-Baltistan since August 1, with residents expressing never-before-seen panic. However, the rain has brought down temperatures across the region. Babusar Top received its first snowfall of the season on Saturday morning, but vehicular traffic continued on Babusar Road.
Tourists advised to avoid unnecessary travel
The Karakoram Highway (KKH) was completely closed from Sost to Khunjerab Top due to landslides. The relevant agencies are working to restore the highway. Tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel due to the situation. The section of the KKH between Murtazaabad and Hassanabad village in Hunza has been reopened for traffic after being blocked by landslides.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
