Seven local volunteers lost their lives in a massive landslide while they were working to restore the flood-damaged Danyor Nullah in Gilgit, officials reported on Monday. According to GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, seven other individuals were also injured in the incident. All the injured were immediately taken to nearby hospitals, where emergency services were activated to manage the crisis.
The volunteers were reportedly repairing a damaged water channel when a sudden mudslide buried them under tonnes of earth and rocks. Police stated that four people were rescued from the debris in critical condition during the search operation. Faraq confirmed that the search and rescue efforts have now concluded.
The recent monsoon rains have caused extensive damage across Pakistan, with urban flooding, flash floods, and landslides leading to over 260 deaths and significant infrastructure damage. Gilgit-Baltistan, a region known for its tourist spots, was also severely affected. Last month, Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan said that intense monsoon rains had triggered floods that killed at least 10 people and injured four in the region.
Elaborating on the damage, the chief minister stated that 300 houses were completely destroyed and 200 were partially damaged. Additionally, 30-40% of water channels and 15-20 kilometers of roads were damaged. Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif distributed compensation checks to flood-affected families in Gilgit-Baltistan and directed the immediate restoration of damaged infrastructure under a Rs4 billion relief package.
During his visit, the Prime Minister gave Rs1 million compensation checks to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the disaster. He offered prayers for the deceased and a swift recovery for the injured, expressing his solidarity with the flood victims. At the check-distribution ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz said, “Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change.” He emphasized the need for an advanced warning system to mitigate future disaster risks, calling it “the need of the hour.” He instructed the Minister for Communications to take immediate steps for infrastructure restoration and pledged to visit the region again before the end of the month. The Prime Minister also announced that a 100-megawatt solar power project in the region would be completed this year.
