At least three people have died and dozens of tourists were stranded after a sudden cloudburst triggered severe landslides and flash floods along a 7–8 kilometre stretch of Babusar Road in Gilgit-Baltistan, officials confirmed on Monday.
#Babusar: Landslide & flood 21/7/25
15 tourists are missing. 3 died. Approximately 8 tourist vehicles were swept away by flash floods. The road is almost destroyed at multiple locations. People are requested to avoid unnecessary travel until the #monsoon period settles down.… pic.twitter.com/WAgCIp9vCF— Shaheryar Hassan (@shaheryarhassan) July 21, 2025
According to the Diamer district administration, three bodies were received at the Regional Headquarters Hospital (RHQ) in Chilas, while one injured person remains under treatment.
The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m., the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) stated in a press release.
The cloudburst struck between Jal and Diyung, causing widespread damage. Authorities reported 14 to 15 major blockages due to debris, boulders, landslides, and sudden flooding, severely disrupting travel and emergency access.
Rescue operations led by local authorities evacuated stranded tourists from various points. Transport was arranged through the Girls’ Degree College and the police, relocating the affected individuals to local hotels in Chilas for temporary accommodation.
Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police Diamer visited the affected area and managed to reach the midpoint of the disaster zone.
However, the remaining portion was deemed inaccessible due to large boulder deposits and unstable terrain.
Babusar Road remains completely blocked, with no immediate reopening in sight. Meanwhile, parts of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) at Lal Parhi and Tatha Pani are also closed, where 10 to 15 vehicles are reportedly trapped in nallahs and slide-affected areas.
Emergency crews continue operations amid challenging conditions, working to restore access and ensure the safe evacuation of all stranded persons.
The NDMA and local administration are closely monitoring the situation, as weather instability remains a concern.