At least 5 people have been killed and several others injured after floods and landslides in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan over the last few days.
Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported yesterday that flash floods and landslides affected parts of Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan.
Five people are reported to have died in a landslide on 03 August in Sadpara, Skardu. Floodwaters also reportedly washed away a bridge and buildings.
NDMA say that a total of 9 landslides have occurred in the area. Six landslides have been cleared through employment of rescuers and heavy earth moving machinery while work on remaining three landslides is still ongoing.
Local media say that local people have reported at least 3 people were killed in floods in Diamer district. Flooding also damaged many roads, bridges and farm land.
Warnings
On 02 August, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued warnings for glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) in Gilgit-Baltistan and the district of Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, after heavy rain and temperatures up to 5 degrees higher than normal, causing ice to melt.
NDMA said that there is also a possibility of river flooding after rain in upper catchments of all the major rivers, especially the Ravi and Chenab.
116 Deaths Monsoon 2017
The recent deaths in Sadpara mean that 116 people have died as a result of flooding or landslides in Pakistan since the start of this year’s monsoon. During that period a total of 399 houses have been completely destroyed by floods or landslides.
Flood Summary
Locations
B - Diamer
Magnitude
Shinkiari - August 5 to August 6, 2017
Other than Shinkiari, PMD records show no significant rainfall totals for the last few days.
Damages
Skardu - August 3 to August 3, 2017
local media reports say 3 deaths also occurred in Diamer district.
