A devastating flash flood caused by a cloudburst in Khanbari Valley has wreaked havoc across upper and remote areas of Diamer District, damaging houses and standing crops in the area, officials said.
Heavy cloudbursts and torrential rains in the high-altitude regions triggered massive floods that destroyed dozens of houses, standing crops, orchards, and link roads completely.
Police and local administration reports confirmed that Khanbari Valley in Chilas suffered the worst damage from the cloudburst-induced flood. The floodwaters swept away trees, timber, and debris, severely damaging the homes of residents and wiping out orchards and valuable farmland.
The disaster also spread to Khanbari, Manikal, Shahi Mahal, Bichay Nala, and Luncher valleys in Tehsil Darel, leaving widespread destruction.Police officials warned that floodwaters have destroyed roads and tracks at multiple points, cutting off land access to these remote valleys. With roads blocked, Khunbari Valley is now facing an acute shortage of food and ration supplies.
Trapped residents of Khanbari and Darel have appealed to the government to restore blocked roads on an emergency basis to reach stranded families. Provincial Disaster Management Authority PDMA Diamer teams were mobilized immediately after the reports of destruction and have launched relief operations in the affected upper areas.
PDMA officials said efforts are underway to shift victims to safer locations and deliver immediate aid, but teams are facing severe difficulties due to blocked routes.
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