Flash flood at Babusar Top: Several tourists missing, rescue efforts underway

(Web Desk): Several tourists have gone missing after being swept away by a flash flood at the popular tourist destination Babusar Top near Chilas. A rescue operation is currently underway to locate the missing individuals.

The flash flood was triggered by a sudden cloudburst at Babusar Top, causing several tourists to be swept away. Local residents also joined the rescue efforts to help stranded tourists.

Deputy Commissioner of Diamer, Ata-ur-Rehman, stated that the cloudburst occurred near Thak, below Babusar, causing landslides that completely blocked the Babusar Road. Around 7 to 8 kilometers of the road have been completely destroyed.

According to the DC, three bodies have been recovered so far, and an elderly man was found in a severely injured condition and shifted to a hospital. Between 10 to 15 vehicles, including coasters, were washed away in the floodwaters.

The DC further added that the natural disaster also damaged power lines and fiber-optic communication lines, making communication extremely difficult. Machinery is being dispatched to the flood-affected areas, and some equipment has already reached the site. Efforts are also being made to clear the road from the Naran side.

Injured individuals have been transported to the Regional Headquarters Hospital (RHQ) via ambulances. “We are doing everything possible in response to this natural disaster,” he added. “Three bodies have been recovered so far, but it is not yet confirmed whether they belong to tourists or local residents. We are now focusing on providing relief items, including food and water, to the affected people.”

Government spokesperson for Gilgit-Baltistan, Faizullah Faraq, stated that a search operation began early in the morning to locate the missing persons.

He said the flood completely destroyed a girls' school, two hotels, a police check post, a police shelter, and more than 50 houses connected to the Babusar Highway. Approximately 8 kilometers of road has been severely affected, with 15 blocked points and four connecting bridges on Babusar Road washed away.

According to the Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson, the evacuation of stranded tourists to Chilas city is ongoing. So far, over 200 tourists have been successfully rescued and moved to Chilas. Due to communication breakdown in Babusar, many tourists remain out of contact with their families. However, hotels and guesthouses in Chilas have been opened free of charge for affected travelers and tourists.

Rescue operations are also being carried out by the Pakistan Army for tourists and travelers stranded on Babusar Road and the Karakoram Highway. Tourists are being airlifted to safety using helicopters.

Teams from the Pakistan Army and Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts are providing food and essential supplies to affected individuals and medical assistance to the injured. Machinery and manpower are actively working to restore roads and remove blockages from Babusar and the Karakoram Highway. Search and rescue teams have also been deployed to locate missing persons.