GILGIT-BALTISTAN — A surge in river flow from glacial melt has washed away a major portion of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) in Upper Hunza’s Morkhun area, severing the critical land link between Pakistan and China.
The Gilgit-Baltistan government said the damage was caused by rapidly rising water levels due to higher-than-normal temperatures, which have intensified glacial melting. The resulting river erosion has not only destroyed a section of the highway but also sparked localised flooding in parts of the mountainous region.
Government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq confirmed that Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has ordered urgent restoration of the road. Emergency repair crews have been deployed to reconnect the route.
The KKH serves as a key artery for cross-border trade, and its closure could disrupt supply chains and tourism flows between the two countries.
Separately, rescue operations in Skardu continue after a tourist boat overturned in Zhouq Kachura Lake. Authorities suspect unusually high water levels from glacial runoff played a role in the incident.
Section 144 has been enforced to prohibit boating in lakes across affected zones, with officials warning of legal action against those violating safety orders.
Since June, G-B has faced repeated climate-related emergencies, including cloudburst floods, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and intense monsoon rains. With the season still active and heat persisting, officials caution that further disruptions are likely and urge residents and visitors to take extra precautions.