GILGIT: After almost a week, the authorities managed to open the Baltistan Road and Astore Valley Road to traffic after they were damaged by flash floods and landslides during a recent spell of monsoon rainfall.
Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) Director General Ataur Rehman Kakar told Dawn that the Astore and Baltistan roads had been opened, allowing stranded locals and tourists to move toward their destinations.
The GBDMA said an important bridge on the Baltistan Road had also been swept away by a glacial flood, but the authorities had installed an iron bridge as a stopgap measure.
This bridge in Haramosh was again damaged on Sunday due to a glacial flood, after which the authorities installed another iron bridge with stronger foundations before allowing vehicles to pass.
After multiple roads and bridges were destroyed due to floods and landslides, thousands of people in Skardu, Shigar, Ghanche, and Kharmang districts were marooned and faced a shortage of perishable items and fuel.
On Tuesday, the cargo transport carrying fuel, food, and other essential items also started plying, delivering products in Baltistan and Astore.
According to authorities, the rehabilitation works were obstructed by rapidly melting glaciers, glacial floods, landslides, and flash floods, due to which several routes, including Naltar Road and Hisper Road, remained blocked.
In the current monsoon season, the region has endured 89 incidents of flash floods, mudflows, river erosion, and Glofs. These incidents have destroyed 130 houses, damaged 162 others, ruined 20 bridges and 18.2 km of roads, displaced 230 people, and killed 73 livestock, according to official data.
In a separate statement on Tuesday, GB Chief Minister Amjad Hussain appreciated the performance of all relevant institutions over the rehabilitation of the Baltistan Road and the installation of a bailey bridge in Haramosh.
The CM said the administration faced severe difficulties in the rehabilitation of these roads, but they managed to restore access despite the odds. The CM also appreciated the efforts of the district administration and the Communications and Works (C&W) Department for restoring the Astore Valley Road.
Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2026
