A mudslide in Gilgit Baltistan created a river-blocking lake, raising fears of flash floods in four northern districts. Image credit: Arab News
A massive mudslide in Gilgit Baltistan has created a lake that now threatens to unleash severe flooding in northern Pakistan. Officials warned on Saturday that four districts—Ghizer, Gilgit, Astore, and Diamer—remain in danger as the country’s monsoon death toll rose to 785.
The 7-kilometer-long lake formed on Friday when a mudflow crashed into the Ghizer River and blocked it completely, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The sudden obstruction created a dam-like wall that could burst without warning.
“This lake can cause a catastrophic flood,” said Zakir Hussain, head of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority.
The disaster follows weeks of relentless monsoon rains and cloudbursts. In Pakistan’s mountainous northwest, floods have already killed nearly 400 people since mid-August. A video shared by the NDMA shows torrents of black mud pouring down a mountainside into the river.
Provincial spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said more mud continues to slide from nearby slopes. He praised a shepherd who first spotted the surge and alerted authorities. Thanks to his warning, nearly 200 residents were rescued from homes scattered along riverbanks and mountain slopes.
Authorities say the lake has started releasing water, reducing the immediate threat of a full breach. Still, flash floods downstream remain possible until the blockage clears. Officials ordered communities near the river to stay on alert and evacuate if necessary.
Nationwide, monsoon floods have killed 785 people since late June, the NDMA said. Forecasters warn of at least two more heavy rain spells before September 10, raising fears of further disasters.
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