Landslide in Gilgit: On August 11, 2025, a calamitous landslide struck Gilgit’s Danyor Nullah (also referred to as Danyore stream), claiming the lives of at least eight volunteer workers and critically injuring several more as they laboured to restore a water channel damaged by earlier floods. Rescue teams and local residents rushed to the scene, managing to extract four individuals in critical condition, with emergency services activated across nearby hospitals. This tragic event is another reminder of the dangers posed by a Landslide in Gilgit.
Climate Change, Glacier Melt, and Runaway Water Flow
Officials attribute the tragedy to accelerated glacial melt, especially from the Shishper Glacier, increasing water flow and destabilizing the fragile terrain. This surge initiated erosion in nearby channels and triggered the fatal landslide. The intensified monsoon season, coupled with climate-driven changes, has amplified river swelling and land frequency, leading to unprecedented structural failures across the region.
Impact on Infrastructure: Karakoram Highway Severed
The catastrophe also severely impacted the Karakoram Highway (KKH) in Upper Hunza—particularly in the Morkhun area—where erosion from swelling rivers rendered vital roadways impassable, disrupting connectivity between Pakistan and China. In response, authorities diverted traffic via Nagar Road to maintain supply lines and regional access.
Official Response and Emergency Mobilization
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan condemned the event, hailing the deceased volunteers as heroes who “sacrificed their lives for their community.” He announced financial assistance for their families and mandated free medical care for the survivors. The provincial government has also launched accelerated efforts for highway restoration and reshaping early warning systems, considering the heightened risk of further landslides in the region.
Fatal August 11 Landslide in Danyor Nullah
On August 11, 2025, a sudden and deadly landslide engulfed the Danyor Nullah in Gilgit, killing at least eight volunteer workers and leaving several others critically injured. The volunteers were engaged in an urgent restoration effort to repair a flood-damaged water channel that supplies water to local communities. Witnesses describe a loud rumbling followed by a fast-moving wave of mud, rocks, and debris that buried the workers within seconds.
Local residents, many of whom had family members among the victims, rushed to the site to assist in rescue operations before official teams arrived. Despite their efforts, heavy debris and unstable ground conditions slowed down retrieval, with four severely injured individuals being pulled out and rushed to nearby hospitals.
Glacial Melt and Monsoon Intensify Risks
Environmental experts have linked this disaster to accelerated melting of the Shishper Glacier—a result of unusually high summer temperatures and climate change. Combined with relentless monsoon rains, the excess meltwater significantly raised water levels in streams and rivers, destabilizing embankments and mountain slopes.
Such conditions make Gilgit-Baltistan’s terrain particularly susceptible to sudden landslides. Water channels weakened by prior flooding were already in a fragile state, and the additional weight of saturated soil and loose rock created a perfect recipe for catastrophe. In recent years, the region has experienced more frequent glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), a growing hazard in high-altitude communities.
Catastrophic Impact on Karakoram Highway
The impact of the landslide extended beyond the immediate loss of life. The Karakoram Highway (KKH)—a strategic trade and travel artery linking Pakistan with China—suffered major damage near Morkhun in Upper Hunza. Erosion from overflowing rivers washed away road sections, halting heavy transport and isolating communities upstream.
Authorities immediately diverted traffic to Nagar Road, but the route is longer and less stable, posing additional risks for motorists. The disruption has also affected the movement of essential goods and hindered cross-border trade, further amplifying the economic fallout of the tragedy.
Climate Vulnerability in High-Mountain Communities
The Gilgit-Baltistan region lies at the frontlines of climate change, with warming rates nearly double the global average. The increasing frequency of landslides, flash floods, and glacier-related hazards underscores the urgent need for resilient infrastructure and community-based disaster preparedness.
Long-term solutions may include:
- Slope stabilization projects to prevent future collapses.
- Strengthening water channel designs to withstand extreme weather.
- Installing advanced early warning systems in high-risk zones.
- Expanding training programs for local volunteer rescue teams.
The loss of eight volunteers in Danyor Nullah is a solemn reminder that disaster prevention requires both proactive engineering and sustained investment in local safety initiatives.
Conclusion
In the heart of one of Pakistan’s most vulnerable corridors, the devastating landslide in Gilgit has underscored the lethal convergence of climate change, infrastructure fragility, and emergency response challenges. As communities mourn eight valiant lives lost in the line of duty, proactive investment in early warning systems, slope stabilization, and climate-resilient infrastructure is no longer optional—it is imperative for survival.
Source : The Express Tribune
