Flash floods devastate diamer valleys, Karakoram highway closed after landslides

Torrential flash floods triggered widespread destruction across several valleys of Diamer overnight, damaging homes, agricultural land, and critical infrastructure while forcing

DIAMER: Torrential flash floods triggered widespread destruction across several valleys of Diamer overnight, damaging homes, agricultural land, and critical infrastructure while forcing the closure of the Karakoram Highway (KKH), authorities said on Monday.

According to local police, heavy floodwaters swept through multiple areas, destroying several houses, uprooting trees, washing away standing crops, and severely damaging communication bridges, water channels, and traditional water mills. The flooding also triggered landslides at various points along the Karakoram Highway, disrupting traffic and isolating affected communities.

The Karakoram Highway has remained closed since late Sunday night after a powerful flash flood struck the area near Gunar Farm Nursery in Chilas. Debris, mud, and rocks blocked sections of the highway, making it unsafe for traffic and bringing movement along the strategic route to a complete halt.

The highway closure has resulted in long queues of vehicles on both sides of the road, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. Families travelling through the region, including children, women, and elderly people, have been forced to wait for hours under difficult conditions as they await the reopening of the highway.

Passengers have appealed to the government and relevant authorities to expedite clearance operations and restore traffic at the earliest, expressing concern over shortages of food, drinking water, and other essential supplies if the closure continues.

Officials said emergency teams and relevant government departments have launched damage assessment and rescue operations in the flood-hit areas. Heavy machinery has been deployed to remove landslide debris from the highway, while engineers are inspecting damaged bridges and other infrastructure to determine the extent of the losses.

Authorities have advised travelers to avoid unnecessary journeys toward the affected areas until road conditions improve. They also urged residents living near streams and riverbanks to remain cautious as further rainfall could increase the risk of additional flash floods and landslides.

The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, while efforts continue to reopen the Karakoram Highway and restore connectivity to the affected valleys.