HUNZA; A new surge of floodwaters on Wednesday brought repair work on the Karakoram Highway (KKH) to a standstill in Gulmit Gojal, Hunza, leaving thousands of people — including local and foreign tourists — stranded at multiple points. Rehabilitation efforts continue across Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) in the wake of severe glacial flooding.
Since late June, GB has endured heavy rains and climate change–driven glacial melting, triggering destructive floods. Last Sunday, a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) from the Shishper Glacier tore through Hassanabad Nullah, washing away a section of the KKH and damaging key infrastructure.
Rescue 1122 confirmed that restoration work was halted after fresh flash flood waves hit Juchar Nullah in Gulmit Gojal. GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said rehabilitation was ongoing in all affected districts, but the rising water flow, riverbank erosion, and frequent landslides were hampering progress.
In Gulmit, heavy machinery has been deployed, and stranded passengers are being evacuated via a wooden bridge. The GB chief minister has ordered faster restoration in Shigar, Ghizer, Hunza, Gilgit, Astore, Diamer, and surrounding areas.
Local authorities reported that the flood damaged optical fibre lines, cutting off mobile and internet services, while rising water in the Khunjerab River knocked out electricity near Sost town.
On Tuesday evening, another massive flash flood from rapid glacial melt struck Juchar Nullah, destroying a bridge, sweeping away a portion of the KKH, and causing widespread devastation. Thousands of kanals of farmland, forests, fruit orchards, irrigation channels, and both public and private infrastructure were lost. A well-known roadside restaurant and a government tourist facilitation centre were also washed away.
Rescue 1122 said over 50 locals working on water channel repairs narrowly escaped after a last-minute warning. Local resident Saeed Jan described the flooding as “unprecedented,” noting that the nullah overflowed around 20 times in one day, sending massive boulders and debris hurtling downstream.
The latest disaster follows earlier floods this month in Ghizer and Hunza triggered by cloudbursts, as well as deadly mid-July rains in the Babusar area that killed 10 people and left several tourists missing.
