Chilas: Authorities have declared an emergency in Diamer after flash floods caused by a cloudburst claimed five lives. Rescue operations are underway as dozens of tourists remain missing.
According to Geo News, a flash flood struck Babusar Top, sweeping away multiple tourists. Local residents joined rescue teams to help stranded visitors. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ata-ur-Rehman confirmed that four of the dead were tourists, while one was a local resident.
The DC reported that a 3-year-old child from one of the affected families is still missing. Search dogs are being used to locate missing individuals, and Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts rescued three female tourists, relocating them to safer areas.
A cloudburst at Thak, below Babusar, also triggered landslides, blocking Babusar Road. Approximately 7–8 kilometers of the road have been completely destroyed, with 10–15 vehicles, including coasters, swept away by the floodwaters.
The disaster damaged electricity and fiber optic lines, causing communication problems. Machinery has been dispatched to clear roads and restore connectivity, while ambulances have transferred the injured to RHQ hospitals.
The Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson, Faizullah Faraq, confirmed that over 50 houses, a girls’ school, two hotels, a police post, and four connecting bridges were destroyed. Around 8 km of Babusar Highway was severely damaged, with 15 critical blockages reported.
More than 200 stranded tourists have been evacuated to Chilas, where hotels and guesthouses have been opened free of charge. However, many travelers remain cut off from their families due to communication breakdowns.
The Pakistan Army is conducting extensive rescue operations, airlifting tourists and residents to safe areas. Army and GB Scouts teams are providing food, water, and medical assistance to victims. Heavy machinery and personnel are working to reopen Babusar and Karakoram Highways, while search and rescue teams continue to look for missing persons.
