GILGIT – Life is slowly inching back in Gilgit-Baltistan after weeks of devastating flash floods, but thousands of residents remain stranded without clean water, power, or road access.
Although floodwaters have now receded from rivers and streams, the destruction left behind continues to isolate entire communities. Volunteers and local workers have begun clearing blocked routes and repairing damaged water channels, yet many key roads—including the Naltar Highway and Ghizer-Shandur Road—are still cut off. Officials confirmed that the Baltistan Highway, which had been closed for days near Roundu Valley in Skardu, was finally reopened on Tuesday.
Basic Needs Out of Reach for Many
The most pressing concern across flood-hit districts is access to drinking water. Communities in Gilgit, Skardu, Ghizer, and Ghanche report severe shortages as damaged supply lines remain unrestored. In Danyor and several villages of Skardu and Ghanche, residents say they have been forced to rely on unsafe sources, risking disease.
For villagers in Haldi, Ghanche district, the crisis is particularly severe. According to locals, the area has been struck by four separate floods since mid-July, wiping out homes and farmland. Families have been shifted to temporary shelters in Payo Thang Haldi, but conditions there remain dire—no electricity, no clean water, and limited food supplies. Many are urging the government to formally declare a flood emergency in the area.
Rescue Efforts Continue in Isolated Villages
In Ghizer’s Daen village, Rescue 1122 teams have been operating for five consecutive days, evacuating patients and vulnerable groups by boat. Despite their efforts, access remains limited, and officials acknowledge that rebuilding critical infrastructure will take months.
The GB government says Ghizer is the worst-hit district. Official figures reveal that since July, at least 39 people—including tourists—have died in the floods. More than two dozen others were injured.
The scale of destruction is staggering:
- 350 homes completely destroyed, with another 600 partially damaged
- 35 bridges washed away, cutting off road links
- Dozens of mosques, Jamaat Khanas, and schools damaged
- Overall losses estimated at Rs30 billion
Locals Brace for Harsh Weather Ahead
While communities attempt to rebuild, winter looms. Residents note that weather patterns typically shift in mid-August, with snow beginning to freeze on higher peaks. On Tuesday morning, light snowfall was already reported in the mountains.
This seasonal change could further complicate relief and reconstruction, making the urgent restoration of water, roads, and electricity even more critical for survival.
