Gilgit-Baltistan travel hit as rain, floods cut roads and bridges

Torrential rain has triggered flash floods and landslides across Gilgit-Baltistan, cutting off major routes, damaging bridges and leaving residents and tourists stranded in several remote valleys, according to reports from the region and official warnings. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast more rain in Gilgit-Baltistan and warned of the risk of glacial lake outburst floods until July 26, adding to concerns in an area already vulnerable to weather-related disruption during the monsoon season. Among the hardest-hit links is the Karakoram Highway, a vital corridor for travel and trade, which the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority said was blocked at multiple points between Dassu and the Hunza and Nagar districts. Other important roads, including Babusar Road, Baltistan Road, Naltar Highway, Ghizer-Shandur Road and Astore Valley Road, were also affected, disrupting movement between a number of settlements and tourist destinations. The flooding has not only cut transport links but also complicated response work. Continuous water flow at several points has made relief and rehabilitation efforts more difficult, while washed-out crossings have left many communities isolated from surrounding areas. In Skardu, flooding in the Tormak Nallah area of Rondu subdivision reportedly washed away at least three important communication bridges, including the Malan Bridge. Other districts, including Kharmang, Ghanche and Shigar, have seen damage to roads, bridges, farmland, crops and other infrastructure. In Haramosh, suspension bridges and power houses were also damaged, widening the impact beyond transport alone. The outages have also affected basic services. Electricity and water supply systems were disrupted in several areas, while communication services were suspended in Astore, Tangir, Thore and other localities mentioned in the reports. That can make it harder for stranded people to seek help, for officials to assess damage and for families to stay in touch. For tourists, the disruption is especially serious. Gilgit-Baltistan is a major summer destination, but steep valleys and fragile road networks mean that even short bursts of intense rain can close routes quickly. With multiple highways and connecting roads blocked, travellers may face delays, detours or prolonged stays in remote locations until conditions improve. What remains unclear for now is the full scale of the damage, how many people are stranded, and how quickly each blocked route can be reopened. Local authorities have not yet provided a complete district-by-district assessment in the available reports, and access constraints may slow recovery work in the coming days. The latest disruption underscores a familiar challenge in Pakistan’s northern mountains: when heavy rain, landslides and floodwater converge, even major roads can become impassable within hours. With more rain in the forecast, officials and residents are likely to remain on alert through the end of the week.

Source: Dawn Home - https://www.dawn.com/news/2017826/torrential-rains-disrupt-travel-across-gb-as-floods-wash-away-roads-bridges