GILGIT: Dozens of families in Gilgit-Baltistan have been forced from their homes this week as flash floods, glacial lake outburst floods, and rising river levels tore through villages, destroying homes, farmland, and infrastructure across the region.

In Damas village near Gahkuch, the Ghizer district headquarters, a rain-triggered flash flood damaged homes, shops, crops, orchards, and link roads, though no deaths or injuries were reported. Repair work on the Gilgit-Shandur road is underway.

The hardest-hit community appears to be Moulaabad village, where the Ghizer River has been eroding the riverbank for months. Last year, a glacial lake outburst flood blocked the river in the nearby Talidas area, creating an artificial lake that diverted water toward Moulaabad.

The threat eased over winter as water levels dropped, but the current heatwave has caused levels to surge again, intensifying erosion. About a dozen houses near the river have been damaged, and floodwater has entered more than 30 homes, forcing residents to evacuate. Crops, irrigation channels, and agricultural land have also been submerged, and more homes remain at risk as erosion continues.

Displaced residents are now living in temporary tents and are calling for urgent rehabilitation, restoration of irrigation channels, and construction of permanent river-protection works. Ghizer Deputy Commissioner Inaya­tullah said the administration is in touch with committees representing affected families and has been distributing tents, food, and other essentials, with the process ongoing.

Separately, a glacial outburst in Ghizer’s Barswat Nullah swept away a suspension bridge and part of a link road, cutting off residents in the area. A local administration team has visited to assess the damage, and the deputy commissioner has ordered a full report along with road restoration work.

Citing the rising risk of glacier melt, rainfall, and further outburst floods driven by the heat, the deputy commissioner imposed Section 144 in the district, banning swimming in rivers and streams, firewood collection, clothes-washing, and other activity near riverbanks, with violators warned of legal action. Residents have also been urged to avoid non-essential travel and check weather conditions before any necessary trips.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority has issued a landslide alert for the Baltistan Road in Skardu’s Roundu area from July 7–9, and a broader alert through July 10 warning of possible mudflows in the Indus, Yasin, Ghizer, Kelek, Mintaka, and Daril rivers, along with local streams. Authorities have directed disaster agencies to stay on alert and maintain continuous monitoring, and have advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel, refrain from crossing rivers, and follow local administration guidance.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2026