Over 300 Houses Damaged, Village Swept Away After Glacier Burst in Pakistan-Occupied Gilgit-Baltistan

Islamabad: More than 300 houses and dozens of shops were destroyed in Ghizer district of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan after a glacier burst triggered a massive landslide and flooding, local media reported on Saturday.

The disaster, caused by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), inundated multiple villages on Friday morning, creating an artificial lake that stretched over seven kilometres. Large swathes of farmland and sections of the road network were submerged, though officials confirmed there was no loss of human life.

Rawshan and Tildas villages bore the brunt of the flooding, with locals reporting that nearly 80 per cent of Rawshan had been washed away. According to a district administration report, the water level in the temporary lake has since started to recede, easing fears of further damage.

Authorities said the floods impacted 330 houses across Tildas, Miduri, Mulaabad, Hawks Thangi, Rawshan, and Goth villages, while dozens of shops were destroyed. Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Gupis Yasin said that tents, food supplies, and essential relief materials were urgently needed for displaced families.

Rescue officials confirmed that at least 200 people were evacuated after the artificial lake formed, sparking panic among locals. Senior district officer Sher Afzal noted that while some upstream homes remained submerged, the natural spillway created by the floodwaters helped prevent wider destruction. However, he warned that the temporary dam at Rawshan remains unstable and could still collapse.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a high alert for glaciated regions, warning of fresh rainfall beginning Saturday, which could worsen the situation.

This incident is the latest in a series of GLOF events this season. At least four earlier floods have already caused extensive damage to homes, crops, and vital road links across Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

With inputs from IANS