Gilgit-Baltistan Cloudburst Floods Strike Ghizer, Hunza
A cloud‑burst flood devastates Ghizer and Hunza in Gilgit‑Baltistan, damaging infrastructure, homes, and crops. Read the full impact and ongoing relief updates.
Cloudburst Causes Floods in Ghizer, Hunza
GILGIT, Aug 1, 2025
A powerful cloudburst unleashed flash floods across Ghizer and Hunza districts on Tuesday, wreaking havoc in remote valleys and triggering a widespread emergency response.
Flash Floods Devastate Local Communities
In Ghizer’s Gupis Valley, flooding in Khatam village battered homes and farmland and blocked the Ghizer–Shandur Road. In Upper Hunza’s Gojal region, the irrigation channel at Ghalapan village—supplying water to over 50,000 forest trees—was heavily damaged.
Calamity Declared Across the Region
The Gilgit‑Baltistan government declared 37 villages across eight districts Diamer, Gilgit, Ghizer, Skardu, Shigar, Ghanche, Nagar, and Kharmang as calamity‑hit zones.
Spokesperson Faizullah Faraq estimated damages at PKR 20 billion, citing destroyed infrastructure, homes, agricultural land, roads, bridges, and utilities. At least 22 vehicles were swept away; 10 predominantly tourist deaths have been confirmed; 4 more are injured; 15 tourists remain missing. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
Rescue Efforts and Tourist Evacuations
Separately, flash floods triggered by a cloudburst at Babusar Top in Diamer district killed four tourist visitors, injured several others, and left up to 15 missing after sweeping away at least eight vehicles along a seven‑kilometre stretch. Over 200 tourists were rescued by local authorities and army helicopters.
Climate Crisis Worsens Impact
Experts attribute the spike in cloudbursts and sudden floods to accelerated glacial melt and record temperatures in parts of Gilgit‑Baltistan reaching 48.5 °C raising concerns about GLOFs (glacial-lake outburst floods) and inadequate disaster preparedness.
Fact Box
| Location | Ghizer & Hunza, Gilgit‑Baltistan (cloudburst‑flood) |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | August 1, 2025 |
| Affected Villages | 37 villages across Diamer, Gilgit, Ghizer, Skardu, Shigar, Ghanche, Nagar, Kharmang |
| Damages Reported | PKR 20 billion; roads, infrastructure, irrigation, crops |
| Victims | At least 10 deaths (mostly tourists), 4 injured, ~15 missing |
| Vehicles Swept Away | 22 vehicles in Ghizer/Hunza; 8+ tourist vehicles at Babusar |
| Authorities Responding | GBDMA, GB government, Army, police, local volunteers |
| Climate Factors | Heavy monsoon rains, glacial lake bursting, heat‑induced melt |
Image/Video Credits
Image of flooded road and rescue teams: Credit: Dawn News
Video footage of flash flood damage: Credit: HUM News / Dunya News
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