Flash floods ravage Diamer, cut off Karakoram Highway

• Torrential overnight rains trigger floods at more than six locations in Thor Valley near Chilas

• KKH closure strands passengers, tourists and freight traffic as long vehicle queues build up

• Link roads, farmland, standing crops and power infrastructure suffer extensive damage

• Thor, Niyat, Khanbari and Buner Das among worst-hit areas as authorities assess widespread destruction

 GILGIT: Fresh flash floods triggered by torrential overnight rains unleashed widespread devastation across Gilgit-Baltistan's Diamer district, forcing the closure of the strategic Karakoram Highway (KKH), washing away key link roads, damaging homes and infrastructure, and leaving hundreds of passengers, freight transporters and tourists stranded.

The floods also swept away two residential houses along with their household belongings and killed a number of livestock, compounding the misery of affected communities.

The worst-hit areas included Thor, Niyat, Khanbari and Buner Das, where raging floodwaters inundated residential localities, destroyed farmland, severed link roads and swept away heavy construction machinery. The closure of the Karakoram Highway, the region's main transport artery, brought traffic to a standstill and disrupted travel across the area.

According to details, torrential rain late Sunday night triggered severe flash flooding at more than six locations in the Thor Valley near Chilas, sending powerful torrents of water and debris cascading through settlements and transport routes.

At Buner Das, the closure of the Karakoram Highway resulted in long queues of vehicles stretching along both sides of the road. Freight traffic, passengers and tourists remained stranded, while electricity supplies continued to be suspended in several flood-hit areas, adding to the hardships faced by residents and travellers.

In Thosarka, floodwaters surrounded residential areas from both sides, preventing residents from moving to safer locations throughout the night. Flood debris entered several houses, while agricultural land, standing crops and trees suffered extensive damage.

The floods also washed away sections of the Thor link road at multiple points, bringing all traffic to a complete halt and cutting off several local communities.

Damage to electricity transmission lines triggered a widespread power outage across the Thor Valley and adjoining areas, disrupting daily life and hampering relief efforts.

Meanwhile, in Khanbari Shing Shar Nullah in the Darel subdivision, flash floods swept away two residential houses together with all household belongings. Several livestock were also washed away in the raging waters.

In addition, 13 dump trucks, one excavator, one crushing plant and two water tankers belonging to Hasnat Company, which was engaged in road construction work, were swept away by the floodwaters, causing substantial losses to the ongoing infrastructure project.

Authorities were assessing the scale of the damage as transport links remained disrupted and efforts continued to restore road connectivity and essential services in the affected areas.