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Flash Floods in North: 200+ Tourists Rescued, Death Toll Rises to 234
Flash floods batter GB, KP & AJK: 234 dead, 200+ tourists rescued in Diamer, 15 missing. NDMA warns of landslides as roads, homes & telecoms face destruction.
ND
by News Desk
2025-07-22
Flash Floods in North: 200+ Tourists Rescued, Death Toll Rises to 234

Devastating flash floods triggered by intense monsoon rains have caused widespread destruction across Pakistan’s northern regions, with more than 200 stranded tourists rescued in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district, officials said Tuesday.

According to government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, the rescued individuals have been relocated to Chilas and provided shelter, food, and medical care. The rescue comes a day after four tourists lost their lives, two were injured, and at least 15 went missing in Diamer’s Babusar area.

Rescue efforts remain ongoing, with military forces, police, and local volunteers participating. "The military is evacuating tourists to safer locations by helicopter,” said Senior Superintendent of Police Abdul Hameed.

A state of emergency has been declared along the Thack-Babusar Road, where the movement of all tourists has been suspended until further notice. Authorities have advised people to evacuate immediately and avoid traveling until roads are rehabilitated. Heavy machinery and rescue teams are at work clearing debris and searching for missing persons.

Infrastructure Crumbles in Babusar

The region has suffered extensive damage. “More than 50 houses, a wheat depot, a girls’ school, two mosques, a windmill, and four bridges have been destroyed,” said Faraq. A police checkpoint and a tourism police shelter were also swept away.

Restoration work has begun on the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and connecting roads to assist thousands of stranded passengers.

In Skardu, over 400 tourist vehicles were stuck due to road closures caused by landslides. According to Baltistan Police, the roads were cleared overnight and all tourists were safely transported back to Skardu city.

Tragedy in Rawalpindi

In Rawalpindi’s DHA Phase 5, a retired army officer and his daughter were swept away by urban flooding while trying to restart their stalled vehicle. Search operations are ongoing, with divers and police combing the area after a disturbing video surfaced showing the vehicle being swept away.

National Toll Rises

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that the death toll from the ongoing monsoon rains since June 26 has climbed to 234, with 596 injured. In just the last 24 hours, 13 deaths were reported.

Punjab leads in casualties with 135 deaths, followed by KP (56), Sindh (24), Balochistan (16), AJK (2), and Islamabad (1). Over 800 houses have been damaged and at least 203 livestock lost.

Landslide & GLOF Alerts Issued

NDMA has issued landslide alerts for GB, KP, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Vulnerable roads include:

·       Jaglot–Skardu Road

·       Kohistan & Palas Roads

·       Hunza & Nagar Roads

·       Tatta Pani & Kolai Roads

Additionally, the GB Disaster Management Authority has warned of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) and urged people to avoid riverbanks and mountainous terrain.

PTA Ensures Telecom Services in Crisis Zones

In a related advisory, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) directed all operators to ensure uninterrupted communication services amid the disaster. Emergency telecommunication centers have been activated for real-time coordination and public assistance.

 
Tagged:

GilgitBaltistan

PakistanFloods

Monsoon2025

DiamerRescue
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