The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) alert for the Hoper and Hisper valleys in the Nagar district of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The warning follows an ongoing heatwave across the region that has accelerated glacier and snow melting, causing water discharge and mudflow to rise significantly in downstream rivers and streams.
According to the NDMA, the local hydrometeorological conditions show a major increase in river discharge within the Hisper-Hoper Nallah catchment area due to the combined impact of high temperatures and continuous precipitation.
The surge in water levels has already caused widespread damage to infrastructure, agricultural land and public and private property in several remote locations.
In Ghanche district, rising streams submerged a suspension bridge over the Hushe Nallah, isolating local communities. The floods also blocked Siachen, Chorbat and Ghowari roads.
Ghanche Deputy Commissioner (DC) Waliullah Fallahi said that the situation was under control and heavy machinery had been deployed to restore damaged roads and bridges.
While the Siachen and Chorbat roads were temporarily reopened to traffic following the deployment, a flash flood at the Ghoor Hill section near the Khunjerab Pass blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH), halting cross-border traffic.
Local police confirmed that a large number of domestic and foreign tourists, alongside cargo transport vehicles, were stranded for several hours before road access was successfully restored.
In the Ishkoman valley of Ghizer district, flooding impacted Matramdan village, damaging homes, standing crops and link roads while cutting off electric supply.
Local officials noted growing concern regarding the water levels of an artificial lake created during last year’s floods, which now threatens to submerge nearby residential areas.
River erosion has also been recorded in Maulaabad village, where the river altered its course and flooded multiple houses.
Furthermore, the rising water of the Ishkoman River is threatening a newly-built bridge that connects Chatorkhand and Dain villages.
Rescue 1122 Gilgit-Baltistan has also issued a public advisory stating that the combination of intense heat and a westerly weather system has heightened the probability of GLOFs, landslides and flash floods.
The emergency service urged residents and visitors to suspend unnecessary travel, stay clear of fast-flowing water channels and avoid activities such as bathing, fishing or taking photos near riverbanks.
The agency noted that floods and glacial lake outburst floods could occur without warning and stressed that precaution was the best protection.
