GILGIT / ISLAMABAD: At least three tourists have died, four were injured, and fifteen others are still missing after intense rains triggered flash floods in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Babusar area in Diamer district, as reported on Monday.
In Islamabad, the heavy downpour caused a flash flood in Saidpur’s stormwater drain, leading to the collapse of a partially built wall from a development project and damaging nearby houses.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, officials confirmed that eight vehicles carrying tourists were swept away by powerful floodwaters.
Government spokesperson Faizullah Firaq said rescue workers had pulled out three bodies from the debris, while four injured people were taken to a hospital in Chilas.
“Fifteen other tourists have gone missing, as eight tourist vehicles were washed away in the raging flood,” he stated. “Medical assistance for the injured is ongoing, with one individual in critical condition.”
Communication systems were also hit hard, with a break in the fibre optic line cutting off mobile and internet service, leaving stranded tourists unable to contact their families. “Thousands remain stuck, and communication with their homes has been severed,” Firaq added.
Despite these setbacks, rescue operations continued. “The government has successfully rescued hundreds of stranded tourists on Babusar Highway, and many have sought shelter with local residents,” said Firaq.
He added that the chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan has ordered full deployment of resources to aid those stranded.
Blocked routes, damaged roads and farmland have made relief operations more difficult. Rescue 1122 also confirmed that Jalkhad Road in Naran had become inaccessible due to large rocks and debris brought in by the rainfall.
A car was reported trapped, though no casualties or major damage were confirmed. Heavy machinery and ambulances were dispatched to the area to manage the situation.
Authorities had already warned of such dangers. On June 29, the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority issued a public alert warning of potential flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods.
The advisory urged the public to avoid riverbanks, stay away from streams and remain cautious of sudden water surges.
Meanwhile, in another rain-related tragedy, three children lost their lives and their mother was critically injured when the roof of their home collapsed in Swat’s Madyan area on Monday night. Rescue 1122’s Shafiqa Gul said the collapse occurred due to continuous rainfall.
“Three siblings and their mother were critically injured and moved to Civil Hospital Madyan for treatment,” she said. Doctors later confirmed the children had died, while their mother remains in critical condition.
As the fourth wave of monsoon rains continues, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority issued a flood warning on Monday. This spell is expected to last until July 26, with water levels in rivers projected to rise from July 25.
Heavy rain is expected in Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Sahiwal and Sargodha divisions.
District administrations have been put on alert, and emergency measures are in place. In the past 24 hours, rainfall was recorded in Murree and Sialkot.
The PDMA’s recent report shows that this year’s monsoon has already claimed 135 lives, injured 479 people, and damaged 156 homes across Punjab. Most rivers and barrages remain at normal levels.
Mangla Dam is half full, while Tarbela has reached 79 percent capacity. Indian reservoirs stand at about 36 percent. Moderate flood conditions have been recorded at Taunsa on the Indus River, where water flow remains high.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia confirmed that the authority’s emergency plans are fully active in response to the ongoing threat.