Floods, GLOFs wash away bridges, damage key northern highways: NHA

The NHA briefed the committee on the damage caused by recent extreme weather events, reporting disruptions on major routes including the Karakoram

ISLAMABAD: Flash floods, landslides and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) have caused extensive damage to highways and bridges across Gilgit-Baltistan and adjoining mountainous regions, the National Highway Authority (NHA) told the Senate Standing Committee on Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs.

The NHA briefed the committee on the damage caused by recent extreme weather events, reporting disruptions on major routes including the Karakoram Highway N-35, Jaglot-Skardu Road S-1 and the N-15 Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad-Chilas section.

According to the authority, mudflows and landslides affected the Karakoram Highway around kilometre 426-427 near Gunji. The affected portion has since been cleared through routine maintenance operations and traffic has been restored.

The Jaglot-Skardu Road suffered more serious damage at several locations. A bridge at kilometre 16+200 was completely washed away, forcing authorities to divert traffic through an alternative route. At kilometre 21+850, severe scouring damaged the bridge abutments, although one lane remains operational. The NHA is preparing designs for protective measures at the site.

Another bridge at kilometre 25+250 was overtopped and damaged during the flooding. To maintain connectivity, the NHA has installed a Bailey bridge as a temporary arrangement. A structural expert has inspected the location, while technical data is being used to prepare a permanent restoration design.

The N-15 highway also experienced disruptions at multiple points, including kilometre 214, 216-217 near Lushi, 217, 222 and 228-229, where mudflows, landslides and falling boulders affected the roadway. The NHA said clearance work has been completed at the affected locations under routine maintenance arrangements.

The authority warned that mountainous road infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events and GLOFs, which can cause sudden damage to bridges and road sections.

Officials told the committee that permanent rehabilitation plans for the most severely damaged structures are being expedited. In the meantime, alternate routes and temporary arrangements are being used to maintain connectivity between Gilgit-Baltistan and other northern areas.

The NHA assured the committee that efforts are continuing to restore damaged infrastructure while ensuring that traffic and essential connectivity remain operational wherever possible.