At least three tourists lost their lives and 15 others remain missing after powerful flash floods hit the Thak Babusar area of Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district. The floods, caused by days of heavy rain, swept away eight tourist vehicles and damaged roads in the scenic region. The disaster has paralyzed transportation, leaving many visitors and locals stranded across the mountainous terrain.
According to Faizullah Faraq, spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, the Thak-Babusar route suffered the worst damage. Rescue teams are working day and night to search for the missing and assist the injured. So far, four wounded tourists have been taken to the hospital, one of whom is in critical condition. The difficult terrain and blocked roads are slowing down rescue operations.
Meanwhile, Babusar Highway remains blocked at several points, cutting off villages and disrupting daily life in the area. The region’s optical fiber networks have also been badly affected, causing communication blackouts that make coordination more difficult. As a result, rescue teams are relying on local knowledge and temporary radio setups for updates.
Thousands of tourists remain stranded, but local residents have opened their homes and shelters to provide food and safety. Authorities have rescued several people, while others continue to be supported by nearby villagers. The Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan has ordered emergency services to use all resources for evacuations and medical aid.
In addition to roads and bridges, farmlands have also suffered severe damage, affecting local livelihoods. Many areas are now unreachable by land, forcing authorities to consider helicopter support. This tragedy comes just weeks after a similar flood in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat region, where over 75 lives were lost, highlighting the growing risk of climate-related disasters.
With the situation still developing, rescue workers are urging people to avoid travel to flood-hit areas. Officials continue to monitor weather forecasts, as more rain could worsen the crisis. Families of the missing are anxiously waiting for news, hoping their loved ones will be found safe.