G-B declares 37 areas calamity-hit, imposes emergency after deadly rains
The government of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) has declared 37 flood-affected locations as calamity-hit zones and imposed an emergency to manage the crisis, officials said on Thursday.
According to a notification issued by the region's Home Department, the affected areas include 12 sites in Diamer, nine in Gilgit, four each in Skardu and Shigar, five in Ghizer, two in Ghanche, and one each in Nagar and Kharmang. 'Emergency has been enforced in all these areas,' the notification stated.
Faizullah Firaq, spokesperson for the G-B government, said the floods have caused an estimated loss of Rs20 billion. At least 10 people have died, most of them tourists, and four others were injured and provided medical aid.
'Between 10 to 15 tourists are still missing, and search operations are under way,' Firaq said, adding that 22 vehicles were swept away in the floods.
He said the government has begun rehabilitation efforts using its own resources, launching Rs440 million worth of projects focused on water supply, electricity restoration, and repairing connecting roads.
Relief supplies, including tents, blankets, food items, and kitchen sets, have already been distributed among the affected population, he added.
'The restoration of 509 destroyed homes remains a major challenge,' the spokesperson said. 'We hope the prime minister of Pakistan will extend support and help heal the wounds of the victims.'
The region, known for its natural beauty and tourism, has seen a surge in climate-related disasters in recent years, with flash floods and glacial lake outbursts becoming increasingly common.
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Express Tribune
20 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PM turns up the pace on relief for flood-hit G-B
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced a Rs4 billion relief package for Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) to help the region cope with recent flood devastation and instructed for establishing an advanced weather alert system to minimise losses in any future eventuality. The prime minister visited G-B to take stock of the devastation caused by persistent heavy rainfall, landslides, and flooding. During his visit, he chaired high-level meetings and also discussed the status of ongoing development projects with the local leadership. The country's northern and central regions have witnessed heavy rains since the monsoon season began in the last week of June. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), these rains and subsequent flash floods have resulted in 299 deaths nationwide. Last week, the G-B government declared a state of emergency in 37 flood-ravaged areas across the region. The catastrophic flash floods have claimed at least 10 lives, left several tourists missing, and caused an estimated Rs20 billion in damages. G-B government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq had appealed for federal support in the wake of the massive devastation, expressing hope that the national leadership would step in to assist the victims and help heal their wounds. Speaking at a ceremony in Gilgit on Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz announced the Rs4 billion package for relief and rehabilitation in the flood-hit areas. He also distributed cheques among the families of those who were killed in the recent floods and rains. Shehbaz directed that work on repairing damaged roads, infrastructure, and other development projects in the area be accelerated. He assured that the federal government would continue to collaborate with the G-B government in its relief efforts. Meanwhile, chairing a meeting on rehabilitation work, the prime minister emphasised the need for early warning systems, preparedness for relief operations, and the construction of climate-resilient infrastructure in vulnerable areas, keeping in view the challenges of climate change. "The NDMA and the Ministry of Climate Change should jointly establish a forecasting and monitoring centre for Gilgit-Baltistan in the coming months," the prime minister told the meeting. He added that a comprehensive system must be developed for immediate rescue and assistance in emergencies. During the meeting, the provincial administration and the NDMA chairman briefed the prime minister on the losses caused by the heavy monsoon rains, the expected weather conditions, and the actions taken so far. The Ministry of Climate Change informed the meeting about the progress on installing an early warning system for Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF), while the Ministry of Communications provided a briefing on the damage to roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. The prime minister instructed that all damaged infrastructure should be rebuilt with climate resilience in mind. He directed the NDMA to cooperate with the Ministry of Climate Change to complete the installation of the early warning system within the next two months. Regarding development projects, the prime minister announced that Daanish Schools would be established in Gilgit-Baltistan. He also mentioned that he was personally overseeing the solar power project approved by the Central Development Working Party for the region. During his daylong visit, the prime minister met with G-B Governor Mehdi Shah, who apprised him of the post-flood situation. Separately, G-B Chief Minister Gulbar Khan also called on the prime minister to discuss key local issues. (WITH INPUT FROM APP)
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Emergency declared in 37 G-B flood-hit areas
Listen to article The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government on Thursday declared a state of emergency in 37 flood-ravaged areas across the region following catastrophic flash floods that claimed at least 10 lives, left several tourists missing, and caused an estimated Rs20 billion in damages. According to a notification issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan Home Department, the disaster-hit designation has been applied to 12 locations in Diamer district, nine in Gilgit, five in Ghizer, four in Skardu, four in Shigar, two in Ghanche, and one each in Nagar and Kharmang. "On account of heavy rains during Monsoon 2025, some Mouzas of District Gilgit, Ghizer, Nagar, Diamer, Skardu, Ghanche, Shigar and Kharmang have been reportedly severely affected by flash flood," said the notification issued by Home Secretary Syed Ali Asghar. "People have suffered losses which includes loss of human lives, livestock, damage to houses, infrastructure and standing crops," it added. "In the opinion of the Government, the situation warrants action under the provision of the National Calamities (Prevention and Relief Act, 1958)." The affected areas, according to the notification are: Parri Bangla, Jutal, Danyor, Sultanabad, Bagrote, Sharote, Shikyote, Skarkoi, Hasan Colony KIU Gilgit in Gilgit; Harchi village in Nagar; Biarchi, Thoi, Nazbar, Silpi and Khanchay in Ghizer; Kondus and Haldi sub-Division Mashabrum in Ghanche. other areas include, Khinner, Botogah, Buner Nallah, Goner Farm, Tatto Raikot, Gushay Darel, Thak Babusar, Charat, Jhottee, Niat Valley, Thore Parika and Shatin Nullah in Diamer; Burgay and Rgiayul in Skardu; Qaimabad, Arincho and Chutron in Shigar and Torghon valley in Kharmang. An emergency has been imposed in all these affected locations to expedite relief and rescue operations. G-B government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq confirmed the grim toll in a press briefing. "We have tragically lost 10 people, most of whom were tourists visiting the region," Faraq stated. "Four others were injured and have been provided with medical aid," he said, adding that rescuers are engaged in a desperate search for 10 to 15 tourists who remain missing. Floods also swept away 22 vehicles, Faraq said. In response to the crisis, the government has launched immediate rehabilitation efforts from its own resources, allocating Rs440 million for the restoration of critical water, power, and road infrastructure. Relief aid, including tents, blankets, food items, and kitchen sets, is being distributed to displaced families. "The rehabilitation of 509 destroyed houses is under way," Faraq said, acknowledging the immense scale of the task ahead. "It is a significant challenge." The spokesperson concluded with an appeal for federal support, expressing the hope that the national leadership would step in to assist the victims. "We hope the Prime Minister of Pakistan will help heal the wounds of the victims," Faraq said.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
G-B declares 37 areas calamity-hit, imposes emergency after deadly rains
Listen to article The government of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) has declared 37 flood-affected locations as calamity-hit zones and imposed an emergency to manage the crisis, officials said on Thursday. According to a notification issued by the region's Home Department, the affected areas include 12 sites in Diamer, nine in Gilgit, four each in Skardu and Shigar, five in Ghizer, two in Ghanche, and one each in Nagar and Kharmang. 'Emergency has been enforced in all these areas,' the notification stated. Faizullah Firaq, spokesperson for the G-B government, said the floods have caused an estimated loss of Rs20 billion. At least 10 people have died, most of them tourists, and four others were injured and provided medical aid. 'Between 10 to 15 tourists are still missing, and search operations are under way,' Firaq said, adding that 22 vehicles were swept away in the floods. He said the government has begun rehabilitation efforts using its own resources, launching Rs440 million worth of projects focused on water supply, electricity restoration, and repairing connecting roads. Relief supplies, including tents, blankets, food items, and kitchen sets, have already been distributed among the affected population, he added. 'The restoration of 509 destroyed homes remains a major challenge,' the spokesperson said. 'We hope the prime minister of Pakistan will extend support and help heal the wounds of the victims.' The region, known for its natural beauty and tourism, has seen a surge in climate-related disasters in recent years, with flash floods and glacial lake outbursts becoming increasingly common.
