Authorities in northern Pakistan are scrambling to avert disaster after a massive mountain mudslide blocked a river and formed a seven-kilometer-long lake, raising fears of catastrophic flooding downstream.
The landslide, which struck Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghizer district on Friday, dumped tons of debris into the Ghizer River, creating a natural dam. Officials say the blockage has turned the river into a fast-expanding lake that could breach at any moment.
“This is a serious threat,” said Zakir Hussain, head of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). “If this lake bursts, the resulting flood could be devastating for communities downstream.”
Evacuations Underway as Risk Persists
Authorities have ordered evacuations in four vulnerable districts — Ghizer, Gilgit, Astore, and Diamer — as engineers assess the situation. Nearly 200 residents living in remote mountain hamlets near the river were evacuated on Friday after a local shepherd spotted the mudslide and raised the alarm.
Videos circulated by Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) show thick black mud cascading down steep slopes and burying the river channel. Officials confirmed the footage was captured by villagers who witnessed the event.
Although the lake has begun to slowly release water, reducing the immediate pressure on the natural dam, officials warn the situation remains volatile. “The risk isn’t over,” said Faizullah Faraq, a Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson. “The chance of flash floods remains high until the obstruction is completely cleared.”
Monsoon Season Turns Deadly Across Pakistan
This latest disaster comes amid one of Pakistan’s deadliest monsoon seasons in recent years. Since late June, torrential rains and flash floods have claimed at least 785 lives nationwide. Gilgit-Baltistan, a mountainous region prone to landslides, has been especially hard-hit, with nearly 400 fatalities recorded since mid-August.
Pakistan’s meteorological department has warned of two additional heavy rain spells before September 10, raising fears that already swollen rivers and unstable mountain terrain could trigger more landslides.
Authorities are urging residents of riverbank communities to remain on high alert, avoid low-lying areas, and prepare for further evacuations if conditions worsen.
