GILGIT, Pakistan — A tragic mudslide early on Monday resulted in the deaths of seven volunteers who were engaged in repairing a drainage channel that had been damaged by flash floods affecting northern Pakistan. Additionally, three others suffered injuries in the incident. The mudslide struck the town of Danyor in the Gilgit-Baltistan region at dawn, a government spokesperson, Faizullah Faraq, reported, confirming that rescuers later recovered the bodies of those who perished.
This catastrophe followed a flash flood caused by a glacial lake outburst that severely impacted the vital Karakoram Highway, which traverses Danyor, leading to significant traffic and trade disruptions between Pakistan and China. According to Faraq, engineers and laborers were dispatched alongside heavy machinery to commence urgent repairs on the damaged highway.
Moreover, several additional landslides around the mountainous highway resulted in damage to homes within Danyor and neighboring areas. First responders were mobilized to evacuate residents affected by the flooding to safer locations. Local police chief Hassan Ali reported that essential food supplies were being provided to the displaced individuals.
The glacial lake outburst that occurred on Sunday was described as massive by Ali, which caused the Hunza River to swell and triggered flash flooding that devastated local crops. Authorities are currently in the process of assessing the extent of the damage caused by these weather events.
In a statement released on Monday, the Chief Minister of the region, Gulbar Khan, hailed the seven victims as "heroes who sacrificed their lives for the community." This tragic event underscores the ongoing struggles faced by Gilgit-Baltistan, a region renowned for its breathtaking glaciers that supply approximately 75% of Pakistan’s stored water.
Last month, this region witnessed a series of landslides that resulted in the deaths of 18 tourists when flash floods swept their vehicles away. Such extreme weather phenomena have been linked to climate change, with experts noting that glacial lake outburst floods occur when water held back by a glacier is suddenly released, generally due to the failure of ice or debris barriers. Climate scientists have indicated that rising temperatures associated with global warming are hastening glacier melt in the northern mountains of Pakistan, thereby increasing the frequency and scale of these lakes.
A recent study published by World Weather Attribution highlighted that rainfall in Pakistan from June 24 to July 23 was recorded as 10% to 15% heavier than what would typically be expected, which has been directly attributed to global warming. Although Pakistan contributes less than 1% of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions, it is disproportionately affected by severe weather events. The impacts of the catastrophic 2022 monsoon season, which claimed over 1,700 lives and inflicted around $40 billion in damages, still resonate across the nation.
Since June 26 of this year, rain and floods have already led to the deaths of over 300 individuals across Pakistan, emphasizing the urgent need for effective disaster response and long-term mitigation strategies in the face of escalating climatic challenges. The ongoing crisis in Danyor and other parts of the country highlights the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters exacerbated by climate change.
