HUNZA – Massive flooding caused by water discharge and soil erosion from the Hunza Shisper Glacier has brought devastation to Gilgit-Baltistan. The disaster has cut off the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and left several communities completely isolated.
Local officials said the flooding has entirely blocked the key KKH route, disrupting Pakistan–China trade and halting all local transport. An alternative link road has been arranged for small vehicles, but heavy traffic is stuck for now.
In Hassanabad, the glacier’s outflow submerged residential houses. Authorities had evacuated these homes earlier, preventing casualties. A hotel was damaged, while hundreds of trees were swept away. Farmland in Hunza and Shigar has been destroyed, leaving farmers with heavy losses.
Government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq confirmed that the floodwaters have reached Shigar in Baltistan. He said standing crops, fertile fields, and water channels have been damaged. “Gilgit-Baltistan is facing its worst flood disaster,” he stated. He also revealed that more than 50 labourers narrowly escaped the fast-rising water.
The Hunza Shisper Glacier flooding has caused severe damage to infrastructure. Electricity poles and fibre optic lines have been destroyed, cutting communication in affected areas. Large boulders and frequent landslides continue to fall along the Silk Road, creating serious risks for rescue teams.
The KKH at Hunza remains blocked, leaving passengers stranded for days. Authorities have promised to start rehabilitation work on the road soon.
The Gilgit-Baltistan government has instructed the Hunza administration to speed up relief operations. Volunteers trying to repair water channels in dangerous conditions escaped without injury. However, residents still face shortages of essential supplies as access to the area is extremely limited.
Officials warn that with the glacier discharge still continuing, the risk of further flooding from the Hunza Shisper Glacier remains dangerously high.
