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In Gilgit, road access to several areas of Gilgit‑Baltistan remained severed for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday, as flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) driven by rapid glacier melt continued to damage highways and impede recovery efforts.
The persistent flooding—fuelled by unprecedented high temperatures and accelerated glacier melt—has disrupted relief operations and delayed the restoration of critical road links.
The Director General of the GB Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), Ataur Rehman Kakar, told Dawn that heavy equipment had been deployed and reconstruction efforts are underway around the clock to clear the blocked roads.
Kakar reported that the Karakoram Highway (KKH), Gilgit‑Shandur Road, and Baltistan Road are now open to traffic, while work continues to re‑open the Astore Valley Road, Naltar Highway, and other routes that connect remote districts.
Despite partial recoveries, thousands of residents and visitors remain stranded because road closures cut off access to several valleys, and flooded communities continue to endure shortages of drinking water, electricity, and communications.
Kakar noted that the growing frequency of GLOFs and the rapid glacier melt have intensified the crisis this year.
“Between July 18 and July 21, GB recorded unprecedented temperatures, resulting in rapid glacier melting and GLOF incidents in several areas,” he said.
He added that relief teams have distributed food, tents, medicines, and other resources to affected households.
He further explained that the Baltistan Road was blocked at three points, including a major obstruction near Ansar Bridge, and rising water levels in a nearby nullah disrupted traffic in the Haramosh area.
Subsequently, the National Highway Authority (NHA) announced that Baltistan Road had been reopened for light vehicles.
“High water levels and mudflows in rivers and nullahs present serious challenges for road restoration activities,” Kakar said.
Residents of Astore expressed concern over the slow pace of work to reopen the Valley Road, noting the valley had remained isolated for three days.
People in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer and other affected districts complained of prolonged disruptions to electricity, water supply and the availability of essential commodities.
Meanwhile, Hisper Valley in Nagar district has remained disconnected for nearly two months after successive GLOFs washed away large sections of the only access road.
Residents report that patients and students are facing severe hardships, while shortages of food, medicines and other essentials are worsening.
According to a GBDMA report, the July 22 GLOF caused fresh damage to Hisper Road at two additional locations.
Approximately 300 feet of road was washed away at Apiharai and another 800 feet at Bayo Khai, completely suspending vehicular traffic.
The authority said rock blasting has been completed and boulders are being stockpiled so that restoration work can begin immediately once water levels recede.
A temporary pedestrian track has been constructed along the river to facilitate local residents’ movement.
The GBDMA highlighted that Hisper Road has suffered extensive damage at multiple locations due to successive flood events, and that restoration and protective works will commence once conditions become favorable.
In its latest situation report, the GBDMA indicated that conditions are gradually returning to normal across most districts beidh following the recent spell of heavy rainfall.
While most roads have reopened, Haramosh Road, Naltar Road, Hisper Road, Astore Valley Road at Khachak, and Hushe Valley Road at Rout Longba in Ghanche district remain closed.
The authority said heavy machinery has been deployed to restore the remaining blocked roads, while relief goods continue to be distributed among affected families.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted rain, thunderstorms, and heavy falls at isolated places until July 28, raising concerns about further flooding and landslides.
Internet and mobile phone services also remain suspended in several areas after floods and landslides damaged optical fibre infrastructure.
Meanwhile, GB Chief Minister Amjad Hussain, while chairing a high‑level meeting on relief and rehabilitation, directed authorities to launch helicopter operations for rescue and relief in remote areas where road links have been severed.
He instructed officials to utilize chamadas funded resources to partially restore the Baltistan Road and to prepare an alternative route for light vehicles within two days.
He also ordered authorities to ensure the uninterrupted availability of food and other essential commodities in affected communities.
