The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned citizens and tourists to postpone trips to Gilgit-Baltistan after days of heavy rainfall and glacial activity triggered floods, landslides, and widespread road closures across the region.
Transport Links Severely Hit
Connectivity in the mountainous north has been crippled, leaving many valleys cut off. Two critical bridges—the Shyok River bridge near Saltoro and the Astak Bridge on the Jaglot–Skardu road—have been badly damaged. The former is fully blocked, while the latter is only allowing restricted, one-way traffic due to partial structural failure.
Several other roads remain impassable, including:
- Diamer–Ghizer Road
- Shandur Road
- Khalti Road
- Dain Road
- Ishkoman Road
- Access routes to Kargil, Kharmang, and Shigar from Skardu
These blockages have stranded residents and travelers alike, disrupting movement of supplies and emergency aid.
Relief as Some Roads Reopen
Despite the devastation, restoration efforts have made some headway. Teams have cleared and reopened the Surmo Bridge in Ghanche, Bagicha Road in Skardu, the Gulmit–Gojal Road in Hunza, as well as the Jaglot–Gilgit Road and Chilam Road in Astore. While this has provided temporary relief for isolated communities, officials caution that conditions remain highly unstable.
NDMA’s Advisory
The NDMA has emphasized that weather-related risks in Gilgit-Baltistan remain high and could worsen with continued rain or further glacial melt. Travelers are strongly advised to avoid non-essential trips and to rely only on official updates before considering any journey to the area.
The situation highlights the fragile nature of mountain infrastructure in Pakistan’s north, where extreme weather often disrupts vital routes. For now, safety officials are prioritizing road clearance and emergency access while urging the public to exercise patience until conditions stabilize
