Woman killed as floods continue to wreck havoc in Gilgit-Baltistan

GILGIT: A woman was killed on Tuesday after being swept away by a flash flood in Astore district of Gilgit-Baltistan as heavy rains continued impacting the region.

It means the confirmed death toll in the latest flash floods in the region during the past 24 hours has reached six, with 15 others missing.

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According to Rescue 1122, the incident occurred near Bolan Kiner, where a sudden surge of water in the seasonal stream (nullah) caught the woman off guard. Eyewitnesses reported seeing her body being carried downstream towards the Astore River.

Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the area to recover the body. However, frequent flash floods in the region have made search and recovery efforts increasingly difficult.

Similarly, a flood triggered by a downpour in the Danyore Nullah damaged at least 12 houses in the Chilmish area of Gilgit. The flood diverted the flow of the Hunza River toward residential areas, submerging crops and affecting livestock.

No casualties have been reported so far, however, the flood is causing land erosion in the area.

Meanwhile, the Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson, Faizullah Faraq, confirmed that a high flood has been reported in the Thor Nullah area of Chilas.

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He said floodwaters have entered the vicinity of the WAPDA Colony, where hundreds of officers and employees currently reside.

“There has been a significant rise in waterflow [in rivers and streams] across Gilgit-Baltistan,” the spokesperson said, adding that emergency teams and rescue operations are active in the affected areas.

Faraq said the Karakoram Highway has been reopened for small vehicles while the Babusar Road remains closed amid ongoing restoration work.

POST-CLOUDBURST SITUATION

In Thak near Chilas, Rescue 1122 teams continued efforts for a second consecutive day to assist those affected by severe flash floods, including both tourists and local residents.

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

Faraq said more than 250 tourists who were stranded due to Monday’s flood on the Babusar-Thak Road were rescued over two days. He said the army, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts, police, Rescue 1122, and local volunteers are participating in the rescue efforts.

On Monday, five people, including four tourists and a local, were confirmed dead after flash floods swept them away in the area after a cloudburst.

Meanwhile, bodies none of the 15 missing persons have so far been found.

According to a spokesperson, several stranded vehicles were pulled out of the water, and dozens of tourists whose vehicles had become inoperable were shifted to safer areas.

Rescue personnel also administered first aid to injured tourists on the spot and moved them to secure locations. Search operations remain underway for tourists still reported missing after being swept away in the floods.

Rescue officials appealed to the public to remain vigilant and report any emergencies to Rescue 1122 immediately.

“Please do not approach nullahs or floodwaters under any circumstances,” said a spokesperson for the service.

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