Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan appealed to the federal government for Rs7 billion in emergency funds to manage climate-induced disasters that have caused over Rs20 billion in damages across the region.
At a press conference in Gilgit, CM Khan explained that the provincial government lacks the financial resources to respond effectively to the ongoing crises. He was joined by GB Home Minister Shams Lone, GB Assembly member Jamil Ahmed, and other officials from the GB Disaster Management Authority.
Khan reported that seven districts have been severely impacted by floods, with Diamer being the hardest-hit. “People in GB are facing daily flood events, with at least one flood occurring every day,” the CM said.
To date, the floods have resulted in 10 fatalities and four injuries. Seven deaths were reported from Babusar, two from Thore Valley (Diamer), and one from Astore district.
The CM further stated that the disaster has destroyed 300 homes, partially damaged 200, and wiped out 40 water channels in 30 villages. Roads, bridges, agricultural land, crops, and both public and private infrastructure have suffered severe damage. The GB government’s emergency budget allocation of Rs1 billion has proven insufficient, especially as the region is burdened with Rs3 billion in liabilities from past disaster relief efforts.
“I urge the prime minister to immediately release at least Rs7 billion to restore roads, electricity, water channels, and undertake other essential relief efforts,” CM Khan said. He also requested the prime minister to visit the region to assess the damage firsthand.
Khan recalled that the federal government had provided Rs3 billion in assistance during the 2022 floods but criticized the previous GB administration for mismanaging those funds, aside from a model village built for flood victims in Ghizer’s Bubor area.
The CM emphasized that this year’s scale of disaster is beyond the capacity of the regional government and called for assistance from both the federal government and international organizations. A formal request for aid has been sent to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Meanwhile, the Karakoram Highway, which had been blocked near Chilas on Saturday, was reopened to traffic on Sunday. However, flash floods continued to disrupt the region, including in Fairy Meadows near Nanga Parbat, where over 200 goats, sheep, and vegetation were swept away. Multiple flash floods in the Shigar district also caused significant damage to crops and infrastructure in various areas, including Qaimabad Tisar, Chatron, and Garam Chashma.
In Ghanche district, a massive landslide destroyed over 50 homes in Kondus village, leaving survivors in urgent need of shelter, food, medical care, and communication access. Additionally, flood-affected communities, especially in Diamer, are facing severe shortages of clean drinking water and essential supplies.
