Landslide claims seven lives, injures six individuals while they work to restore a water channel in the northern region of Pakistan
A devastating landslide in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, has claimed at least 40 lives and left thousands stranded, following days of torrential monsoon rains and cloudbursts. The disaster, which occurred on Sunday night, has also resulted in over 15 people missing and hundreds injured.
The incident took place when a group of 13 local volunteers were restoring a water channel from Danyor nullah to Danyor town. Tragically, the landslide resulted in the deaths of seven people and injuries to six others. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his deep sorrow over the incident and urged authorities to ensure the best medical treatment for the injured.
The disaster is part of an unusually intense and prolonged monsoon season that started late June. The region has also experienced an extreme heatwave, causing temperatures to rise 48% above normal and leading to unprecedented glacier melt. This, in turn, has destabilized river banks, hillsides, and infrastructure throughout the mountainous region.
Since June 26, torrential monsoon rains have resulted in at least 305 deaths and 734 injuries across Pakistan. In Gilgit-Baltistan alone, as of the data provided by NDMA, the region has reported 12 deaths and 6 injuries since June 26.
The disaster has caused widespread destruction, with over 300 homes fully or partially destroyed, bridges swept away, roads, electricity lines, mobile and internet networks damaged, and multiple districts isolated. Major highways and roads, including the Diamer–Ghizer, Shandur, Khalti, Dain, Ishkoman, and others, are blocked or severely damaged.
Local government teams and the Pakistan Army are currently conducting rescue and relief operations, clearing debris and escorting stranded people off blocked mountain roads. Emergency shelters and relief camps have been established, although officials warn that government resources are strained by the scale of damage.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) and Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have issued travel advisories urging citizens and tourists to avoid entering the region due to ongoing hazards and road closures. Restoration of roads, bridges, communication signals, and essential services is underway but remains challenging due to continuous rainfall and weather risks.
This severe natural disaster highlights the vulnerability of Gilgit-Baltistan’s mountainous terrain during the increasingly intense monsoon seasons, exacerbated by climatic changes leading to glacier melt and erratic weather patterns. The government has promised full medical facilities, compensation to the families of the deceased, and support for the injured and affected communities.
