Glacier Burst in Gilgit-Baltistan Damages 100+ Houses, Relief Operations Launched
ISLAMABAD – August 22, 2025: A massive glacier burst in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghizer district has destroyed more than 100 houses, forcing the evacuation of schools and villages, officials confirmed on Friday. Relief and rescue efforts are currently underway with support from the Pakistan Army and the Gilgit-Baltistan government.
What Happened?
The disaster, identified as a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), occurred around 3 a.m. Friday in the Rowshan and Talidas areas. Triggered by rising global temperatures and accelerated glacial melt, the outburst created a lake spanning nearly 8 kilometers, submerging villages and cutting off key transport links.
Government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said:
“Over 100 houses were damaged, one kilometer of road was washed away, and the main Ghizer road remains closed. Thankfully, local volunteers, along with the GB government and Army, rescued the affected population in time.”
Evacuations and Emergency Response
According to the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA):
Helicopters were deployed to airlift stranded families.
Alerts were issued for downstream communities stretching to Biarchi, which connects Ghizer with Gilgit.
63 schools were evacuated, ensuring the safety of students.
Relief tents, clean drinking water, and emergency supplies have been dispatched.
Rising Toll from Monsoon Season
This event comes amid one of Pakistan’s deadliest monsoon seasons in years. Since late June, torrential rains, flash floods, and cloudbursts have claimed 771 lives nationwide, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported the highest toll with 465 deaths.
Gilgit-Baltistan alone has seen 45 casualties since June 26.
Urban flooding this week submerged parts of Karachi, while rivers in southern Punjab have overflowed, threatening nearby towns.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued fresh warnings:
Heavy rains with thunderstorms predicted in northern and central regions from August 23–27.
Sindh and eastern/southern Balochistan expected to face intense rainfall from August 27–29.
Risk of flash floods in Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Rawalpindi, Azad Kashmir, and parts of Punjab.
Possible urban flooding in Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Peshawar, and Mardan.
Landslides/mudslides may block roads in GB, KP, Kashmir, Murree, and Galliyat.
Pakistan’s Climate Vulnerability
Pakistan contributes less than 1% of global carbon emissions, yet remains one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. In 2022, unprecedented rains and glacial melt submerged nearly one-third of the country, killing 1,700+ people and causing an estimated $30 billion in losses.
Outlook
With glaciers melting at an accelerated pace and extreme weather patterns intensifying, experts warn that climate change will continue to trigger destructive GLOF events in northern Pakistan. The current relief operations in Gilgit-Baltistan underscore the urgent need for climate adaptation, resilient infrastructure, and long-term disaster preparedness.