Flash Floods Ravage Ishkoman Valley, Sever Land Connections and Damage Infrastructure

Flash floods in Ishkoman Valley, northern Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB), caused by the melting Badswat Glacier, have severely damaged infrastructure and isolated regions, affecting 400 households. The lack of local administrative response exacerbates the crisis.

Ishkoman Valley in northern Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) has been hit hard by flash floods, resulting in extensive damage across multiple regions. Pamir Times, a local media outlet, reported that the melting of the Badswat Glacier has destroyed a temporary bridge and nearly 1,000 feet of road in Badswat.

The floods have cut off land connections between Badswat and Mutramdan, isolating the upper areas of Ganjabad, Borth, Bazar Katu, Yazben, and Mutramdan. Consequently, around 400 households in these regions are struggling to access basic necessities such as transportation and schooling for children. The current crisis is being attributed to drastic climate changes and governmental neglect.

The report also indicates that the villages of Ishkoman, including Center Kot and Faizabad Bala, have been heavily affected. Land connections have been severed from three different locations. The bridge in Kot Pain is at risk of complete erosion by the river, and five residential houses have already been damaged. Four shops and cattle sheds have been partly affected. Significant damage to major irrigation channels in Ishkoman Proper raises fears of the potential drying up of fertile lands due to disrupted water supply.

Previously, the Hunza Valley faced similar issues due to the rapid melting of glaciers and overflow in the Hunza River. These flash floods destroyed several households and livelihoods, with minimal help from local authorities. Similar flood-like situations were also observed earlier on the outskirts of the Skardu and Shigar districts, but the local administration failed to provide rescue or assistance, leading to the destruction of private property and homes.

Floods in the PoGB region pose a severe threat to the local population, which relies heavily on agriculture for their livelihood. In addition to damaging several houses, the floods have also worsened the already poor road infrastructure in the area.

(With inputs from agencies.)