Two doctors among five killed in flash floods on Babusar-Thak Road

ISLAMABAD: At least five people, including two doctors, were killed after flash floods swept through the Babusar-Thak Road in Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan on Monday.

The victims were part of a 22-member tourist group from Lodhran, Punjab, which included the owners of Shahida Islam Medical and Teaching Hospital — Saad Islam and Fahad Islam.

The victims were the colleague of renowned doctor and social media personality, Dr Affan Qaiser, who works as head of gastroenterology department at Shahida Islam Medical Complex, Lodhran.

Local authorities confirmed the deaths of Fahad Islam and Dr Mishal Fatima Saad, the wife of Saad Islam. The couple’s son was reportedly swept away by the floodwaters and remains missing.

Saad Islam sustained a leg fracture but is said to be conscious and in stable condition.

Flash floods swept away 8 vehicles

On the Babusar-Thak road, the floods swept away at least eight vehicles while thousands of travelers stranded in its wake.

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

The Karakoram Highway (KKH) and Babusar Road have been blocked at more than 20 locations, with a major section severely damaged — around 8 kilometres of Babusar Road have been washed away.

15 tourists missing, hundreds trapped

A spokesperson for the Chilas Regional Headquarters Hospital told HUM News English that after the flash floods hit the Babusar-Thak Road, five dead bodies and one injured had been brought to the facility.

“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.

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.”

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

Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are under way in the Thak Nala area of Chilas, where the incident occurred.

The army has been called in for rescue operations, sources said.