In a devastating turn of the events, eight tourist vehicles were dragged by a sudden flood in the Babusar Pass area of the Ghizer district of Gilgit. The disaster, caused by the increase in water levels, landslides and strong floods, has resulted in the loss of at least three lives, with more than 15 people who are still missing.
According to Express News, Babusar Road, who is going through the pass, was severely affected after sudden floods reached the area. The growing levels of water, combined with landslides and the overflow of river water, led to generalized destruction.
When the waters of the flood emerged, eight vehicles transported tourists were swept. The rescue teams managed to save four people, but the bodies of three others were recovered from the remains. More than 15 tourists remain missing, and an extensive search operation is underway.
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Faizullah Faraq, spokesman for the Gilgit-Baltistan government (GB), confirmed that one of the rescued tourists is in critical condition. The situation has been serious, with the communication network of the interrupted region, leaving thousands of stranded tourists without contact with their families.
“The communication system has been severely affected, and many tourists are not trapped without the way to get home,” Faraq added. In addition, he noticed that hundreds of stranded tourists were rescued by local residents and provided refuge.
In response to the crisis, the GB government has mobilized all the resources available to help in the rescue operation and provide help to the affected areas.
Rescue teams continue their efforts to locate missing persons and provide emergency assistance to stranded in the region. Meanwhile, local authorities are coordinating with nearby communities to offer refuge to those in need.
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Meanwhile, in the Swat district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, five children tragically lost life in two separate incidents related to rain.
Rescue officials reported that three children died when a roof collapsed under strong rains, while two others were dragged by rainwater drainage. 1122 rescue teams are still carrying out search and help operations in affected areas.
KP’s prime minister Ali Amin Gandapur expressed his sadness for the tragic loss and offered condolences to afflicted families. He prayed for the souls of the deceased strengths and urged the disconsolate, ensuring that the provincial government is maintained with them during this difficult time.
