Five killed, 15 missing as flash floods hit Babusar-Thak Road

GILGIT: At least five tourists have been confirmed dead, while more than 15 others remain missing after flash floods struck the Babusar-Thak Road in Diamer, Gilgit-Baltistan, on Monday.

The floods swept away at least eight vehicles, stranding thousands of travellers.

CLOUD BURST

On the other hand, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) says the flash floods were caused by a cloud burst, which had triggered landslides in a seven to eight kilometers long belt.

As a result, roads has been closed at around 15 points, the agency said, advising the people to avoid travelling.

Earlier, Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq stated that torrential rains triggered severe flooding, causing widespread destruction along the Babusar route.

Read more: Flash floods continue to ravage Gilgit-Baltistan

“Three bodies have been recovered so far from the incident site,” Faraq said, adding that “four injured tourists were rescued and shifted to Chilas Regional Headquarters Hospital, with one in critical condition.”

A spokesperson for the hospital told HUM News English that five dead bodies had been brought to the facility.

LANDSLIDES AND OVERFLOWING STREAMS

“Communication systems are severely disrupted, with fiber optic cables damaged and many areas experiencing complete communication blackout. Thousands of tourists are currently stranded, and their families are unable to contact them,” he explained.

Read more: PMD warns of urban flooding, 163mm of rain in Islamabad’s Saidpur

The spokesperson said more than 15 tourists are still unaccounted for. Search and rescue operations, involving local administration, police, and volunteers, have been intensified despite difficult terrain and blocked roads, he added.

“Hundreds of tourists trapped on Babusar Road have been rescued by the government with the support of the local community,” said Faraq. “Many have been given shelter by residents of nearby villages who opened their doors to help.”

On the other hand, the Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister has directed all relevant departments to utilise every available resource for immediate rescue and relief.

“Our priority is to ensure the safety of every single person stranded in the affected areas,” Faraq said.

He said significant stretches of the Babusar Road remain impassable due to landslides and overflowing streams.

Visuals from local authorities show submerged vehicles, collapsed road sections, and debris across farmlands.

Faraq also reported widespread flood destruction in Ghanche district.