Rains trigger floods and landslides in Lower Kohistan

Continuous heavy rains caused severe destruction in Lower Kohistan as floods and landslides disrupted traffic, damaged property, and left one person dead while several others were injured.

According to police officials, a truck driver identified as Gul Badshah died of cardiac arrest after his vehicle became trapped in a landslide on the Karakoram Highway in the Dubair area. Authorities said the driver reportedly suffered shock and fear during the incident.

District Police Officer Zafar Ahmad Khan said several people were also injured after heavy boulders detached from nearby mountains and struck vehicles and pedestrians during the rainfall.

In another major incident, two vehicles carrying tourists from Gilgit-Baltistan to Punjab were swept away by muddy floodwater flowing onto the Karakoram Highway from surrounding mountains. The vehicles reportedly carried families, including women and children, who were rescued safely by police personnel already deployed in the affected areas.

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Floodwater and landslides also uprooted electricity poles in the Firozabad Jigal area, causing injuries and disruption to local infrastructure.

Police further confirmed that four shops collapsed in the Dubair area after being hit by a massive landslide. Shopkeepers and customers managed to escape moments before the debris struck the buildings.

Authorities said the Karakoram Highway was repeatedly blocked at multiple locations, including China Bridge, Saplo Mor, Glozbanda, Shahtan Pari Gijal, and Khatar Nullah, due to ongoing floods carrying mud and rocks.

Meanwhile, district administrations in Kaghan Valley and Balakot launched a crackdown against illegal deforestation and timber smuggling. Officials demolished four illegally operating saw machines and confiscated timber allegedly cut from forests for smuggling.

Authorities warned that continued rainfall could trigger further flooding and landslides in mountainous regions, urging travelers to avoid unnecessary journeys and follow official safety advisories.