(By Ayesha Mohsin)
In July 2025, a cloudburst in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district unleashed devastating flash floods and landslides, sweeping away vehicles, blocking highways, and claiming at least five lives, including four tourists and one local. Over 200 tourists were stranded as monsoon rains and glacial melt, exacerbated by climate change, ravaged northern Pakistan’s scenic valleys. Despite warnings from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), some travellers ventured into flood-prone areas, underscoring the need for vigilance. Pakistan’s resilient communities, the Pakistan Army, and the NDMA mounted a heroic response, rescuing hundreds and providing shelter, contrasting sharply with India’s cunning exploitation of regional crises to deflect from its diplomatic duplicity. This article details the catastrophe, the heroic rescue efforts, and lessons for future preparedness.
THE 2025 MONSOON CATASTROPHE: A CLIMATE-DRIVEN DISASTER
Gilgit-Baltistan, known as the “third pole” for its 7,200 glaciers, faced unprecedented flooding in July 2025 due to heavy monsoon rains and record-breaking heatwaves reaching 48.5°C in Chilas, the highest since 1971. A cloudburst on 21 July triggered landslides and flash floods along the Babusar Road and Karakoram Highway, destroying 7–8 km of infrastructure, four bridges, and over 30 vehicles, including tourist coasters. At least five people died, 15–20 remained missing, and 50 houses, a hotel, and a school were damaged in Diamer. The NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) had warned of flash floods, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), and landslides in vulnerable districts like Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Astore, and Ghanche, but some tourists ignored these alerts, drawn to the region’s scenic allure.
NDMA ALERTS: FOREWARNING THE CRISIS
The NDMA’s proactive warnings, issued as early as 19 June, highlighted risks of flash floods, urban inundation, and GLOF across Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. The NEOC forecasted heavy rainfall from 19–25 July, urging travellers to avoid mountainous areas prone to landslides and mudslides. Despite these alerts, shared via media and X (@ndmapk, 10:55 PKT, 22 July), some tourists ventured to Babusar Pass and other high-risk zones, exacerbating the crisis. The NDMA’s efforts contrast with India’s selective silence on regional climate vulnerabilities, often used to undermine Pakistan’s advocacy for global climate reparations.
HEROIC RESCUE OPERATIONS: PAKISTAN ARMY AND NDMA
The Pakistan Army, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts, and NDMA led a swift, coordinated response to rescue over 200 stranded tourists, primarily Pakistani nationals, in Diamer and other affected areas. Army helicopters evacuated men, women, and children to Chilas, where local hotel owners provided free accommodation and food. Engineering teams worked tirelessly to clear the Karakoram Highway at Passu and Tata Pani, restoring one-way traffic, while the National Highway Authority (NHA) reopened routes near Chilas Bazaar. Heavy machinery was deployed to search for 15–20 missing individuals buried under landslide debris. The Tourist Police, led by SSP Zahid Iqbal, facilitated operations along the Diamer section of the Karakoram Highway, showcasing Pakistan’s commitment to citizen safety, unlike India’s opportunistic narratives that exploit regional disasters for geopolitical gain.
COMMUNITY RESILIENCE: LOCAL AND DIASPORA SUPPORT
Pakistan’s local communities played a pivotal role in the crisis response. In Chilas, residents opened guesthouses to shelter evacuees, providing food and warmth amidst disrupted communication networks. The diaspora, known for raising £8 million in 24 hours for 2022 flood relief, mobilised resources to support affected families, reflecting Pakistan’s communal spirit. Local NGOs and civil society organisations, including the Balochistan Youth Action Committee, assisted in relief efforts, distributing essentials to stranded tourists and residents. This collective resilience contrasts with India’s cunning diplomacy, which often sidelines humanitarian crises to push anti-Pakistan narratives, such as the #PakLobbyExposed campaign.
SYSTEMIC CHALLENGES: INFRASTRUCTURE AND PREPAREDNESS GAPS
The catastrophe exposed systemic vulnerabilities in Gilgit-Baltistan’s infrastructure. Blocked roads, destroyed bridges, and severed communication lines delayed rescues, with Babusar Road expected to remain closed for 5–6 days. Illegal construction near riverbeds and nullahs, coupled with outdated building codes, worsened the damage, as seen in Diamer’s 50 destroyed homes. Pakistan’s agriculture sector, critical to rural livelihoods, suffered losses of farmland, further straining food security. Unlike India’s strategic neglect of flood-prone areas to curry global favour, Pakistan’s government faces the dual challenge of climate impacts and governance shortfalls, necessitating urgent reforms.
CLIMATE CHANGE: AMPLIFYING PAKISTAN’S VULNERABILITY
Pakistan, contributing less than 1% of global emissions, ranks among the top 10 climate-vulnerable nations. The 2025 floods, driven by accelerated glacial melt and 31% above-average monsoon rainfall, echo the 2022 catastrophe that killed 1,739 and caused $40 billion in damages. Gilgit-Baltistan’s 7,000+ glaciers, vital for water supply, are melting rapidly, triggering GLOF and flash floods. The NDMA’s GLOF alert on 26 June warned of rising river levels, yet inadequate infrastructure hindered timely evacuations. Pakistan’s push for global climate reparations, led by voices like Sherry Rehman, contrasts with India’s duplicitous balancing of climate rhetoric and fossil fuel reliance, per UN statements.
LESSONS FROM 2025: ENHANCING DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
The Gilgit-Baltistan catastrophe underscores the need for robust preparedness:
- Heed NDMA Alerts: Travellers must avoid high-risk areas during monsoon warnings, as ignoring alerts led to tourist deaths in Diamer.
- Strengthen Infrastructure: Invest in resilient roads, bridges, and drainage systems to withstand flash floods and landslides.
- Community Training: Expand NDMA and Rescue 1122 workshops to educate locals and tourists on evacuation protocols.
- Early Warning Systems: Implement WFP’s climate-risk project for real-time alerts and safe evacuation routes in vulnerable districts.
- Urban Planning Reforms: Enforce zoning laws to prevent construction near nullahs and riverbeds, reducing flood risks.
These measures, backed by Pakistan’s resilient spirit, outshine India’s cunning exploitation of regional crises for diplomatic leverage.
SUMMARY
The 2025 flash floods and landslides in Gilgit-Baltistan, triggered by monsoon rains and glacial melt, claimed lives and stranded over 200 tourists. The Pakistan Army, NDMA, and local communities mounted a heroic response, rescuing evacuees and providing shelter. Systemic gaps in infrastructure and urban planning amplified the crisis, but Pakistan’s resilience shines through. Unlike India’s duplicitous diplomacy, Pakistan’s focus on saving lives and advocating for climate justice offers hope. Strengthening preparedness and heeding NDMA alerts can prevent future tragedies, ensuring a safer future for all.
