ISLAMABAD: Torrential rains triggered flash floods across several valleys of Diamer district overnight, causing widespread damage to homes, farmland, roads and public infrastructure, while forcing the closure of the Karakoram Highway (KKH).
According to local authorities, the floods destroyed several houses, washed away pedestrian and vehicular bridges, uprooted trees and damaged standing crops. Water channels and traditional watermills also suffered heavy losses in the affected areas.
More than six locations in Thor were hit by the flooding, where homes, agricultural land, crops and trees were damaged. Floodwater and debris entered residential areas, while the Thor link road was blocked at multiple points, disrupting traffic. Electricity supply was also suspended in several localities.
The floodwaters swept away 13 dump trucks, one excavator, a crushing plant and two water tankers belonging to a private company.
In Khanbari, heavy flooding caused extensive damage to farmland, crops, trees and link roads. Meanwhile, flash floods in Bonar Das forced the closure of the Karakoram Highway, leaving passengers, freight vehicles and tourists stranded.
The highway remains blocked near Gonar Farm Nursery in Chilas, where floodwater and debris submerged the road. Long queues of vehicles have formed on both sides of the highway, causing significant difficulties for hundreds of stranded travellers.
Among those affected are women, children and elderly passengers, who have appealed to the authorities to reopen the highway at the earliest to restore the movement of people and essential supplies.
In Niat, flash floods damaged the link road at several locations, disrupting transport and creating hardships for local residents. Affected communities have called for immediate relief, restoration of electricity and urgent repair of damaged roads.
District authorities and emergency teams have launched damage assessment and restoration operations. Relevant departments are working to clear debris, repair roads and bridges, and reopen blocked routes as quickly as possible.
Officials said a detailed assessment of losses is underway, while rehabilitation work continues in the flood-affected areas.
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