GILGIT: Rapid glacier melt combined with recent heavy rains has pushed the Hunza River to dangerous levels, inflicting severe damage to the Karakoram Highway at Mor Khun and Gircha, effectively cutting off Pakistan’s overland route to China.
Provincial government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq confirmed that river erosion at Mor Khun washed away a section of the historic Silk Route, bringing all cross-border transportation to a halt. Relevant departments have been mobilized to carry out urgent repair work to restore the critical highway link.
In a separate incident in Skardu’s Zhooq Kachura area, strong water currents caused a tourist boat to capsize in a local lake. The boat was carrying three visitors from Karachi. Rescue teams saved one passenger alive, recovered the body of a woman, and continue to search for the third missing tourist.
Despite a ban on boating in rivers and lakes under Section 144—imposed due to heightened water flow—authorities say some tourists are still venturing into dangerous waters. Legal action is being taken against those facilitating such violations.
Meanwhile, the Gilgit-Chitral road has also been blocked due to flooding caused by a cloudburst. Restoration crews are working to reopen the route and resume traffic flow.
