Freezing GB Faces Power Cuts, Gas Shortages; Three Die in LPG Leaks

GILGIT‑BALTISTAN: Gilgit‑Baltistan is battling severe cold, long power outages, and gas shortages, leaving residents struggling to stay warm. Tragically, suspected LPG gas leaks have claimed three lives, highlighting the region’s difficulties in dealing with harsh winter conditions, Dawn reported.

In Ghanche district, a newlywed couple was found dead in their home, apparently due to LPG gas fumes from a heater. Their family discovered them unconscious on Monday and rushed them to DHQ Hospital in Khaplu, where they were pronounced dead.

In a separate incident in Skardu, a female tourist from Punjab’s Talagang area died and her husband was injured after a suspected LPG leak in a hotel room. The couple was found unconscious on Sunday and taken to a hospital. Authorities say the husband is stable, while the woman’s body has been sent back to her village. Police are investigating both cases.

These deaths come as residents face power cuts lasting up to 20 hours a day, a shortage of firewood, and limited gas supplies, all essentials in freezing winter conditions that have made roads slippery and daily life difficult.

Temperatures have dropped as low as minus 16°C in areas like Astore, Hunza, Nagar, and Ghizer, keeping people indoors. “The roads are icy, firewood is expensive, and electricity comes and goes,” said Ahmed Khan, a resident of Astore.

Tourism, a key source of income in the region, has also suffered. “Business is dead,” said Zulfiqar Ali of Skardu, explaining that fewer visitors have affected shops, hotels, and farming.

While social media talks about an “extreme cold wave,” the Pakistan Meteorological Department says no record-breaking temperatures are expected. Officials advise people to follow official warnings and ignore unverified claims.

As Gilgit‑Baltistan faces freezing temperatures, residents continue to struggle with cold, power cuts, and safety risks, putting pressure on authorities to improve basic services and emergency response.