Many stranded in GB for six days as flood delays repairs

• Food, fuel, medicine shortages worsen in cut-off areas; travellers advised to wait until roads are restored • 130 homes destroyed, 20 bridges washed away in 89 flood-related incidents reported this monsoon • CM declares Tormik ‘calamity-hit’ GILGIT: Scores of residents and tourists remain stranded across Gilgit-Baltistan without access to basic supplies as climate change-fuelled floods and landslides kept key roads closed for a sixth consecutive day on Monday. Rising waters in streams and rivers continue to hamper restoration efforts across the Ska­rdu, Shigar, Ghanche, Kharm­ang and Astore districts. The prolonged blockade has left vulnerable populations in remote areas facing severe shortages of food, fuel and medical care, while tourists are trapped with dwindling resources. “Each passing day creates troubles for local residents, ” Ali Hussain, a Skardu resident, told Dawn. He noted that the prices of available fuel and essential items have skyrocketed in cut-off areas. In Astore, which has been isolated for six days, resident Ahmed Shakoor said desperation is growing. Local markets are empty or prohibitively expensive. “People are crossing the blockade area, putting their lives at risk, to access other areas or Astore, ” he told Dawn. Many passengers with families are stranded, forcing many to pay exorbitant prices at local hotels. Meanwhile, tourists travelling in personal vehicles are stuck near Haramosh on the blocked Baltistan Road, an isolated area lacking hotel accommodations and food facilities. A tourist from Punjab, who was travelling from Skardu, expressed frustration over spending days without basic facilities and demanded a faster pace of road restoration work. Relentless water flow destroyed a temporary iron bridge installed over the Kalturo nallah in Haramosh before it could open for traffic Sunday. GB police spokesperson said construction of a stronger foundation bridge is underway but will take several additional days. Work on the temporary bridge constructed near the Jaglot-Skardu Road at Sassi Haramosh also remains stalled due to flooding. Other key routes remain impassable, including the Nal­tar Road, the Hisper Road, the Astore Valley Road at Kac­hak due to river erosion, and the Hushe Valley Road at Rout Lon­gba in the Ghanche district. Residents of the Hispar Valley of Nagar are also disconnected following Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (Glofs). Police advised travellers to wait until roads are restored. GB Disaster Management Authority provided stranded passengers on the Baltistan Road with water and rations. This monsoon season, the region has endured 89 incidents of flash floods, mudflows, river erosion and Glofs, according to a disaster summary released on Sunday. These incidents destroyed 130 houses, damaged 162 others, ruined 20 bridges and 18. 2kms of roads, displaced 230 people and killed 73 livestock. GBDMA Director General Ataur Rehman Kakar visited flood-affected Molaabad in Ghizer, ordering immediate provisions of generators, food and non-food items. He ordered electricity restored at the displacement camp and directed the Ghizer District Disaster Management Authority to prepare a permanent housing solution on a war footing. Chief Minister Amjad Hussain rode a bulldozer across a flooded stream to visit the severely impacted Tormik area of Skardu, declaring it a calamity-hit region. Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2026

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