Gilgit:
On Thursday, the Gilgit-Baltista (GB) government declared an emergency in 37 flood-ridden areas throughout the region after catastrophic flash floods claiming at least 10 lives, left several tourists missed, causing an estimated RS20 billion damage.
According to a review issued by the Gilgit-Baltist Home Department, the Disaster-Hit designation has been used for 12 locations in the diamer district, nine in Gilgit, five in Ghizer, four in Skardu, four in Shigar, two in Ghande and one in Nagar and K Harmang.
“Due to heavy rain during Monsoon 2025, some Mouzas from District Gilgit, Ghizer, Nagar, Diamer, Skardu, Ghande, Shigar and Kharmang are reportedly severely affected by flash river,” said the message issued by home secretary Syed Ali Asghar.
“People have suffered losses that include loss of human life, livestock, damage to houses, infrastructure and standing crops,” it added. “In the government’s opinion, the situation guarantees action under the determination of national accidents (Prevention and Emergency Aid, 1958).”
The affected areas are according to the announcement: Parri Bangla, Jutal, Danyor, Sultanabad, Bagrote, Shariote, Shikyote, Skarkoi, Hasan Colony Kiu Gilgit in Gilgit; Harchi Village in Nagar; Biarki, Thoi, Nazbar, Silpi and Khanday in Ghizer; Facilitus and Haldi subdivision Mashabrum in Ghandanche.
Other areas include Khinner, Botogah, Buner Nallah, Goner Farm, Tatto Raikot, Gushay Darel, Thak Babusar, Charat, Jhotte, Niat Valley, Thore Parika and Shatin Nullah in Diamer; Burgay and Rgiayul in Skardu; Qaimabad, Arincho and Chutron in Shigar and Torghon Valley in Kharmang.
An emergency has been imposed in all these affected places to speed up relief and rescue operations. GB government spokesman Faizullah Faraq confirmed the gloomy toll in a press briefing.
“We have tragically lost 10 people, most of whom were tourists visiting the region,” said Faraq. “Four others were injured and have been provided with medical help,” he said, adding that rescuers are engaged in a desperate search for 10 to 15 tourists who remain missed.
Floods also swept 22 vehicles away, Pharaq said. In response to the crisis, the government has launched immediate rehabilitation efforts from its own resources and allocated RS440 million for restoring critical water, electricity and road infrastructure.
Auxiliary help, including tents, blankets, foods and kitchen kits are distributed to displaced families. “The rehabilitation of 509 destroyed houses is underway,” said Faraq, recognizing the huge scale of the tasks ahead of us. “It’s a significant challenge.”
The spokesman ended with an appeal on federal support and expressed the hope that national leadership would step in to help the victims. “We hope the prime minister in Pakistan will help heal the wounds of the victims,” Pharaq said.
