Flood washes away major portion of KKH

G-B CM orders immediate restoration; search for missing tourists continues in Skardu

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GILGIT:

A major portion of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) in Upper Hunza's Morkhun area was swept away by river erosion on Friday, effectively severing the land route between Pakistan and China, according to the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government.

The situation was triggered by a surge in river flow caused by accelerated glacial melting, a result of rising temperatures across the region. The heightened water levels have caused localised flooding in several areas of G-B, posing serious threats to infrastructure and public safety.

G-B government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq confirmed that the increased flow of water in regional rivers led to the erosion of a section of the KKH, which has now been rendered inaccessible. He said that Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has ordered immediate restoration of the highway.

The Karakoram Highway is a critical trade and travel route connecting Pakistan to China. Faraq added that relevant departments have been dispatched to Morkhun to carry out emergency repair work.

Meanwhile, rescue teams in Skardu are continuing their search for tourists who went missing after a boat capsized in the Zhouq Kachura area. Authorities suspect that high water flow in the lakes, fed by glacial runoff, may have contributed to the accident.

Faraq reminded the public that, due to safety concerns, boating in lakes has been strictly prohibited, and Section 144 has been imposed in affected areas to ban such activities. "We are taking action against individuals and tour operators who violate this ban and endanger lives," he said.

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code allows local authorities to restrict gatherings and specific activities to ensure public safety during emergencies. The latest incident adds to a series of climate-related disasters impacting G-B.

Since June, Pakistan has witnessed severe flooding brought on by cloudbursts, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and intense monsoon rains. G-B remains one of the hardest-hit regions due to its mountainous terrain and vulnerability to glacial melt.

With the monsoon season still ongoing and temperatures continuing to rise, officials have warned of further climate-induced disruptions, urging both residents and visitors to exercise caution and follow government advisories.