Severe flash floods wreaked havoc on the Thak-Babusar Highway in Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, as a result of which at least 8 tourist vehicles were swept away in the water while the bodies of 3 tourists have been recovered. According to Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, four injured tourists have been rescued and shifted to the hospital, one of whom is in critical condition.
According to the spokesperson, more than 15 tourists are still missing, and rescue operations are underway to find them. According to local sources, the communication system has been disrupted due to heavy rains and landslides and thousands of tourists are stranded at different places on the Babusar Highway.
The government spokesperson said that the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan has issued instructions to immediately rescue the stranded people by utilizing all available resources. Meanwhile, the local population has provided temporary shelter to hundreds of tourists.
According to Faizullah Firaq, the Babusar Highway has been closed at several places, while roads, fields and other infrastructure have been severely damaged. Communication with many areas has also been cut off due to the breakdown of the fiber optic line.
