A sudden cloudburst struck the Khandus area of Skardu, triggering powerful flash floods that swept through the region, destroying 49 homes, 20 shops, and two mosques. The floods also washed away a major bridge, cutting off access to the area and collapsing the communication infrastructure. Amid the devastation, a young girl lost her life when the roof of her house collapsed due to the rushing floodwater.
This tragedy occurred just two days after another deadly cloudburst hit Diamer district, where three members of a family — a doctor, his brother-in-law, and father-in-law — lost their lives. The doctor’s son remains missing. These back-to-back disasters have placed tremendous pressure on rescue teams and local authorities.
Despite difficult terrain and disconnected communication, rescue operations are underway. Over 200 stranded tourists in Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly near Babusar Pass, were successfully evacuated to Chilas with assistance from the Pakistan Army and local volunteers.
According to official figures, the total death toll from recent monsoon rains across Pakistan has now risen to 252, which includes 121 children, 85 men, and 46 women. In just the past 24 hours, 10 more people have lost their lives and 13 others were injured. The worst-affected regions include Punjab, which recorded 139 deaths, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 60, Sindh with 24, and Balochistan with 16.
These events are part of a larger climate disaster unfolding across Pakistan. Since late June 2025, relentless monsoon rains have caused widespread landslides, flooding, and displacement. More than 500 people have been injured, and thousands have lost their homes, especially in vulnerable mountain regions such as Gilgit-Baltistan and Swat Valley.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued fresh warnings about the risk of further flash floods, landslides, rockfalls, and ground subsidence in areas including Skardu, Hunza, Astore, and Diamer. Authorities are urging residents to remain cautious and limit movement in high-risk zones due to the forecast of continued heavy rainfall.
In Diamer, the earlier cloudburst on the Babusar route destroyed more than 30 vehicles, damaged roads over an 8-kilometer stretch, and blocked access to several villages. Several homes, mosques, and bridges were damaged or destroyed. Emergency teams managed to reach the affected areas despite ongoing landslides and successfully evacuated tourists who had been stranded for days.
These repeated disasters underscore the severe impact of climate change on Pakistan’s northern regions. Unpredictable cloudbursts, extreme weather, and insufficient infrastructure are creating urgent humanitarian and environmental crises. With roads blocked, homes lost, and communications down, affected families now rely entirely on government response and emergency aid.
Efforts are ongoing to reopen routes, restore communication, and deliver aid to those affected. However, with more rain predicted, residents and rescue teams remain on high alert.
