Karakoram Highway

Multiple areas in Gilgit-Baltistan remain cut off due to flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods (Glofs) caused by rapid glacier melting. Road access to several regions has been disrupted for four consecutive days, affecting relief operations and leaving thousands stranded. Efforts to restore key routes like the Astore Valley Road and Hisper Road continue amid challenges from high water levels and damaged infrastructure.

Torrential rains in Gilgit-Baltistan caused flash floods and landslides, damaging roads, bridges, and infrastructure, stranding thousands including tourists. The Pakistan Meteorological Department warned of continued glacial lake outburst floods until July 26, with multiple key routes like the Karakoram Highway blocked and critical bridges in Skardu and other districts destroyed.

Gilgit-Baltistan has become Pakistan’s climate crisis epicenter due to escalating glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and accelerated glacier melt. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are destabilizing Central Karakoram glaciers, leading to increased flood risks, displacement, and a flood regime that no longer aligns with traditional disaster-response timelines.

Rapid glacier melting due to a heatwave in Gilgit-Baltistan has triggered floods and mudslides, damaging infrastructure, blocking roads, and disrupting cross-border traffic. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (Glof) alert for Hoper and Hisper valleys, while Rescue 1122 advised avoiding travel near rivers and glaciers.

Tourists to Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) face conflicting social media messages about monsoon-related disruptions. While some reports highlight floods and landslides in June, others promote GB's scenic beauty. Officials confirm temporary road closures due to heavy rains but emphasize most routes remain open after clearance, urging travelers to check advisories before departing.

PPP supporters blocked the Karakoram Highway in Chilas to protest the declared victory of independent candidate Imam Malik in the GBA-16 Diamer-II election, alleging the process violated legal procedures. The protest disrupted traffic between Gilgit-Baltistan and other parts of Pakistan, with claims that the Election Commission failed to issue official results and counted postal votes improperly.

Protests blocking the Karakoram Highway in Diamer and other areas continued for a third day over re-polling and delayed official results in Gilgit-Baltistan elections. Supporters of PPP candidate Attaullah in GBA-16 Diamer-II demanded the counting of postal ballots and cancellation of re-polling, alleging the Election Commission's decision was an 'excess and robbery' of public mandate.