Flood-ravaged Ghizer district in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) is facing prolonged disruption to education, with the provincial government extending the closure of 63 schools beyond the previously announced August 25 reopening date. Officials say more delays are likely as recovery efforts drag on in the mountainous region, where several communities remain cut off for days.
Government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq confirmed that the extent of damage forced the decision, stressing that safety remains a priority while roads are cleared and relief efforts continue.
Relief Efforts Intensify in Talidas
A major relief camp has been set up in Talidas, one of the worst-hit areas, where the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) has distributed over 150 tents to displaced families. Authorities report that more than 300 food parcels have reached affected households, along with hygiene kits, tarpaulins, mats, and thousands of bottles of clean drinking water. Medical teams and ambulances have also been deployed to provide urgent care.
The floods have created an artificial lake in Talidas, now under close observation by emergency teams. Meanwhile, rescue and clearance crews are still working to reopen the Gilgit-Shandur road, which remains blocked, leaving large parts of the district isolated for a fifth consecutive day.
Villages Submerged, Hundreds of Homes Lost
Raushan village has suffered catastrophic flooding, with a five-kilometre stretch submerged and hundreds of residents stranded. Authorities estimate nearly 300 houses have been destroyed in Raushan, Hakis, and Thangi villages, where floodwaters continue to linger.
Elsewhere, the Karakoram Highway at Hassanabad Hunza has been closed for three weeks after water from the Shishper glacier washed away sections of the road, cutting off access and disrupting supply lines. Local farmers have reported heavy damage to agricultural land, adding to the economic toll.
Growing Mental Health Crisis Among Survivors
While emergency response teams focus on physical relief, G-B officials are increasingly concerned about the psychological toll of the disaster. A government statement highlighted that women, children, and elderly survivors are showing signs of acute trauma.
In a recent meeting led by Arif Tahseen, Additional Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, public and private stakeholders discussed plans to deliver mental health services to those affected. Tahseen emphasized that emotional recovery is as urgent as physical rebuilding:
“These floods have left deep scars beyond infrastructure loss — the psychological impact will take much longer to heal,” he said.
Analysis: Why Recovery Will Take Time
Ghizer’s flooding highlights the growing vulnerability of high-altitude regions in Pakistan, where melting glaciers, erratic rainfall, and poor infrastructure amplify natural disasters. The prolonged road closures not only slow rescue efforts but also deepen the humanitarian crisis by isolating entire villages.
With education suspended, farmlands destroyed, and key trade routes blocked, rebuilding Ghizer will likely require sustained federal support and long-term investment in disaster preparedness — something G-B has historically lacked.
