Flash Floods at Babusar Top Claim Lives, Disrupt Communication
The flash floods at Babusar Top have raised concerns about the safety of tourists and the need for effective disaster management strategies. The government's rescue efforts and warnings for urban flooding have been welcomed, but more needs to be done to mitigate the risks associated with monsoon rains and ensure the well-being of affected communities.
At least three tourists lost their lives and 15 others went missing in Gilgit-Baltistan's Babusar area after flash floods triggered by torrential rainfall ravaged the region, sweeping away eight tourist vehicles and causing significant damage to nearby infrastructure.
The Gilgit-Baltistan government confirmed that three bodies were recovered, and four others were rushed to a hospital, with medical assistance for the injured ongoing. Rescue efforts are underway, with the National Highways Authority dispatching heavy machinery to clear roads and restore traffic flow. However, communication lines have been disrupted due to a fibre optic cable break, hindering the rescue operations.
In a separate incident, three children died, and their mother was critically injured when their roof caved in during torrential rains in Swat district. The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority has issued a comprehensive flood fact sheet, warning of a significant rise in water levels in Punjab's rivers, with a high possibility of increased water flow until July 25.
The monsoon season has already claimed 135 lives, injured 479 people, and affected 156 homes across Punjab. At least eight people were killed in separate rain-related incidents in Pakistan's northern regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, with heavy downpours triggering landslides, flash floods, and roof collapses.
The provincial government has expressed grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. The authorities have urged people to take necessary precautions and ensure adequate drainage to avoid any further casualties, as the monsoon rains continue to lash many parts of the country.