What Happened in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan That Led to Seven Deaths?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Seven local volunteers died due to a landslide in Gilgit Baltistan.
- Monsoon rains have led to over 260 fatalities in Pakistan.
- Emergency services have mobilized for the injured.
- Local leaders request PKR seven billion for recovery efforts.
- Infrastructure damage is estimated at over PKR 20 billion.
Islamabad, Aug 11 (NationPress) Tragically, seven local volunteers lost their lives and another seven individuals were injured after a significant landslide struck those engaged in restoring a water channel that had been damaged by floods in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB). Officials reported this unfortunate incident on Monday.
All injured individuals were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals where emergency services were mobilized to address the situation. The volunteers were reportedly repairing Danyor Nullah, which suffered damage from the recent floods in the region, when they were suddenly overwhelmed by a mudslide that buried them under debris.
According to police, four individuals were rescued from the wreckage in critical condition during the operation, as reported by Geo News, a prominent Pakistani news channel. Spokesperson for the PoGB government, Faizullah Faraq, confirmed that the search and rescue efforts have concluded.
Monsoon rains have caused extensive destruction across Pakistan, with floods and landslides resulting in the deaths of over 260 people. Numerous individuals remain unaccounted for, and there has been significant damage to infrastructure.
Last month, local leader Gulbar Khan of PoGB stated that at least 10 people were killed and four others injured due to floods triggered by monsoonal rains. Furthermore, infrastructure damage is estimated at over PKR 20 billion.
Khan reported that 300 houses were completely destroyed, while an additional 200 were partially damaged. Additionally, 30-40 percent of water channels and 15 to 20 kilometers of roads suffered damage. During a press conference, he emphasized that the floods severely impacted seven districts, destroying roads, water channels, homes, and agricultural land, as reported by The News International.
He highlighted that the existing resources are insufficient to recover from the magnitude of this disaster and urged the Pakistani government for support. The local leader requested the federal government to allocate PKR seven billion for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the impacted infrastructure.