Erosion focused on the climate cuts the Karakoram motorway in Upper Hunza

On Friday, an important section of the Karakoram motorway (KKH) in the Morkhun region of Upper Hunza was destroyed by the erosion of the river, breaking the land link between Pakistan and China, said the government of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

“The erosion of the river remains a key contributor to road blockages in the region,” said an expert in cryosphere The Express PK Press Club. “Although the disturbances on the KKH are not unusual, the current intensity of the swelling of the river and the scale of damage are much higher.”

GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq confirmed that the increase in the river flow led to the erosion of a KKH section, which made him impassable. Head Minister Haji Gulbar Khan led an immediate catering from the highway.

Since June, Pakistan has been faced with serious raw raws driven by clouds, lighting floods (GLOF) and Lourdes monsoon rains. GB remains among the most affected areas because of its mountainous land and its exposure to the glacial fusion.

This event also reflects a change in the dynamics of snow covers through altitude areas in GB. The snow coverage area (SCA) has decreased at lower altitudes, where key infrastructure, including highways, are often located, according to the winter 2024-2025 report by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The loss of seasonal snow at these altitudes leads to a cast sooner and faster, so that rivers swell faster than before.

At the same time, the permanent snow cover persists at higher altitudes (above 5000 MASL), where the ice areas vary in seasonal size but have long-term withdrawal trends. In summer, the contraction of the snowy mantle coincides with precipitation and the glofs, multiplying hydrological stress on the already fragile slopes and the roads of the valley.

The current season of the monsoon season and temperatures continue to increase, those responsible have warned of more disturbances related to the climate, urging residents and tourists to be caution and follow the official opinions.

The data recorded between 2001 and 2020 show that surface temperatures (LST) increased regularly from year to year, with seasonal tips in June, August and September – mainly the months when the intensity of the monsoon and the glacial streams cultivate. These warming trends led to the retirement of glaciers with lower altitudes, adding to the volume of melting water supplying the rivers of the region. The increased runoff of snow and the melting of glaciers during the summer months exerts immense pressure on the banks, which increases the risk of sudden floods and erosion such as that which cut the KKH.

Source: winter report 2024-2025 by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

Such hydrological changes cause severe erosion along the banks, compromising infrastructure and triggering landslides or washes that clog vital transportation like the KKH.

The growing frequency and severity of these incidents indicate the growing vulnerability of regional road networks with hydrological discrepancies induced by the climate.

This requires a combination of structural interventions and informed political measures.

While snow cover shows a downward trend in spring and summer, it temporarily increases during winter at higher altitudes. These trends opposed to similar altitudes increase the unpredictability of runoff models, which makes more difficult to anticipate river behavior. Combined with the increase in LST, these changes are likely to exacerbate the frequency of floods, landslides and slope failures – threatening essential infrastructure such as KKH. Ice retirement, in particular at mid -range altitudes of 3000–4000 MASL, should continue unless the reheating trends are reversed, worsening vulnerabilities for natural and built environments.

“A key strategy is to conduct detailed studies on rivers dynamics – including sediment transport, seasonal flows and potential course changes – and carry out risk assessments before road construction,” said the cryosphere expert.

“The incorporation of hydrological and geomorphological assessments during planning stages can reduce exposure to such risks.”

“During the winter, when the river flow is low, strategically redirects the river flow to less populated areas, accidental areas can help reshape the channels and reduce pressure on fragile banks. Gabion walls provide a certain defense against erosion, although their efficiency decreases in high intensity water flow.”

However, these interventions must be carefully designed to avoid ecological or geomorphological damage.