Gilgit:
The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) said on Thursday a state of emergency in 37 areas ravaged by floods through the region following sudden catastrophic floods which made at least 10 lives, left several missing tourists and caused around 20 billion rupees of damages.
According to a notification issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan reception service, the disaster designation was applied to 12 sites in the Diammer district, nine in Gilgit, five in Ghizer, four in Skardu, four in Shigar, two in Ghanche and one in Nagar and Kharmang.
“Due to heavy rains during the 2025 monsoon, some Mouzas de District Gilgit, Ghizer, Nagar, Diamer, Skardu, Ghanche, Shigar and Kharmand would have been seriously affected by the sudden floods,” said the notification issued by the interior secretary Syed Ali Asghar.
“People have undergone losses that include loss of human life, cattle, damage to houses, infrastructure and standing cultures,” he added. “In the opinion of the government, the situation justifies measures under the provision of the National Calamities (Prevention and Relief Act, 1958).”
The affected areas, according to the notification, are: Parri Bangla, Jutal, Danyor, Sultanabad, Bagrote, Sharote, Shikyote, Skarkoi, Hasan Colony Kiu Gilgit in Gilgit; Harchi village in Nagar; Biarchi, Thoi, Nazbar, Silpi and Khanchay in Ghizer; Mashabrum of the Kondus and Haldi subdivision in Ghanche.
The other domains include Khinner, Botogah, Biner Nallah, Goner Farm, Tatto Raikot, Gushay Darel, Thak Babusar, Charat, Jhottee, Niat Valley, Thore Parika and Shatin Nulllah in Diamer; Burgay and Rgiayul in Skardu; Qaimabad, Arincho and Chutron in Shigar and Torghon Valley in Kharmang.
An emergency has been imposed in all these affected locations to speed up rescue and rescue operations. GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq confirmed the disaster in a press briefing.
“We tragically lost 10 people, most of whom were tourists visiting the region,” said Faraq. “Four others were injured and received medical aid,” he said, adding that rescuers are engaged in desperate research of 10 to 15 tourists who remain missing.
The floods also won 22 vehicles, said Faraq. In response to the crisis, the government has launched immediate rehabilitation efforts from its own resources, allocating 440 million rupees for the restoration of water, energy and critical road infrastructures.
Help with relief, including tents, blankets, food and kitchen sets, is distributed to displaced families. “The rehabilitation of 509 destroyed houses is underway,” said Faraq, recognizing the immense scale of the future task. “This is an important challenge.”
The spokesman ended with a call for federal support, expressing the hope that the national management would intervene to help the victims. “We hope that the Prime Minister of Pakistan will help heal the injuries of the victims,” said Faraq.
