MUZAFFARABAD / GILGIT-BALTISTAN ( The COW News Digital) Torrential rains and a powerful cloudburst wreaked havoc across parts of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan on Thursday, triggering flash floods and landslides that left multiple fatalities, severe infrastructure damage, and mass evacuations.
In Azad Kashmir’s capital Muzaffarabad, a devastating cloudburst in the Nasirabad area claimed the lives of six members of the same family. Officials confirmed that heavy downpours caused rivers and streams to overflow, sweeping away vehicles and flooding residential zones.
In Bagh district, relentless rainfall swelled rivers and streams, while in Samahni, the Bhimber stream reached dangerous flood levels, sweeping away a tourist vehicle. Rescue teams managed to save all the passengers. Deputy Commissioner Bagh announced that all educational institutions in the district will remain closed today due to the high-risk flood situation.
Other regions including Jhelum Valley, Samahni, Hattian Bala, and Neelum Valley witnessed dangerously high water flows. Authorities warned residents to stay away from riverbanks and vacate low-lying areas.
Meanwhile, in Gilgit-Baltistan, rains, landslides, and flash floods caused widespread destruction. In Ghizer district, three people lost their lives and three others went missing after being hit by a landslide. In Diamer, a brother and sister were swept away by floodwaters, while in Babusar, a child sustained injuries after being struck by falling debris.
In Hunza, the Shishper Glacier’s accelerated melting eroded both banks of the Hassanabad stream, prompting the administration to issue evacuation orders. Residents have begun abandoning their homes as erosion intensifies.
Floodwaters have damaged crops, homes, schools, and farmland across the region. The Gilgit-Baltistan government has declared emergencies in multiple districts. Government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq urged residents of Chinar Bagh and surrounding areas to remain vigilant and evacuate low-lying zones.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, flash floods struck Mansehra’s Siran Valley near the Family Park, trapping around 1,300 tourists. District emergency teams successfully relocated all stranded visitors to safety.
In Upper Kohistan, rising water levels in the Indus River forced the closure of the Karakoram Highway for all traffic. Authorities remain on high alert as weather forecasts warn of more heavy rainfall in the coming days.
Officials have appealed to the public to follow safety advisories, avoid unnecessary travel in affected regions, and cooperate with rescue teams to minimize casualties and losses.
