People head towards northern areas in search of serenity and healthy air. However, the news of disease outbreaks in Gilgit-Baltistan districts mars the perception of the region’s beauty and clean air.
This week, more than 750 people in Astore were hospitalised with cholera and gastroenteritis, according to local health authorities. Most cases are now under control, but the crisis has highlighted long-ignored issues in water safety and sanitation.
The outbreak began on August 30 when Astore’s District Headquarters Hospital saw a sudden influx of patients showing diarrhoea and vomiting. In just two days, cases multiplied, with more than 450 patients admitted to medical camps and hospitals.
Inspections of water tanks and pipelines revealed serious contamination, with four out of eight samples testing positive for cholera. Supplies were temporarily suspended while tanks were disinfected, and water was distributed through tankers and bottles.
Officials say the district has now moved from “rapid escalation to early stabilisation,” with new cases declining. But the episode has raised alarm over infrastructure problems and years of neglect in chlorination practices. Authorities have vowed strict accountability and ongoing monitoring to prevent further outbreaks.
This health crisis comes at a time when Gilgit-Baltistan is already struggling with heavy rains and flash floods. Poor access to clean water has left people across Diamer, Shigar, Skardu, Astore, and Gilgit vulnerable to water-borne diseases.
Children under five have been among the worst affected, with cases of cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid, and pneumonia reported. While Gilgit-Baltistan is renowned for its breathtaking mountains and pristine rivers, the harsh reality is that its basic public health systems remain fragile.
Clean drinking water and reliable sanitation are not luxuries; they are necessities. To preserve GB as a safe and attractive destination, we must invest in modern water infrastructure, disease prevention, and robust local health systems. *