The recent floods in Ghizer have once again highlighted how vulnerable mountain communities in Gilgit-Baltistan are to the accelerating impacts of climate change. The devastating events of 2025, triggered by cloudbursts and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), destroyed homes, roads, schools, and farmlands across Talidas Rawushan, Yasin, and Dain Ishkomen. Hundreds of families were displaced, many lost their livelihoods, and vital infrastructure such as bridges and power systems collapsed under the force of the floods.
While the floods in Ghizer caused unimaginable damage, they also exposed the deep weaknesses in disaster preparedness and response systems. Relief efforts came late, coordination was minimal, and local communities were left to rely on their own strength, solidarity, and volunteer networks for survival.
Read the full report and download the PDF: Floods in Ghizer – Talidas Rawushan, Yasin, Khalti, and Daen Ishkomen
The 2025 Floods in Ghizer — A Snapshot of Destruction
Located in the northern region of Pakistan, Ghizer District is surrounded by the snowcapped Hindu Kush Mountains and is home to many glaciers and glacial lakes. These glaciers are a source of water and life, but also pose a severe risk when sudden temperature rises or heavy rainfall cause glacial lake outburst floods. The 2025 floods in Ghizer were among the worst in the region’s history.
Entire villages such as Talidas were washed away, Yasin valley saw widespread destruction of crops, water channels, and schools, and Dain Ishkomen lost homes, roads, and even its iconic suspension bridge — cutting off access for thousands of residents. Families were stranded for days without food, medicine, or shelter. Many survived only because of quick local action and community cooperation, often before formal help arrived.
NGOs Led Relief, But Government Response Lagged Behind
One of the most striking findings from the Climate Change and Flood Management in Ghizer report is the contrast between government and community responses. The Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) was slow to mobilize resources, and government aid often reached only after days of delay.
In contrast, non-governmental organizations played a far more proactive role. The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), through its agencies like the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) and Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), quickly stepped in with emergency supplies, medical assistance, and road repair. Helicopters transported over 6,000 kilograms of food and medicine to isolated areas, while mobile medical teams provided urgent healthcare to hundreds of patients.
Other organizations such as Alkhidmat Foundation, Red Crescent, Hamari Taqaat, and Naveed-e-Falah contributed significantly by distributing ration packages, clothes, blankets, and hygiene kits. Local student volunteers from Gilgit and other cities also returned home to help, proving once again that community-driven action remains the strongest force in times of crisis.
Gaps in Preparedness and Early Warning Systems
Despite these efforts, the floods in Ghizer revealed alarming weaknesses in Pakistan’s disaster management strategy. The early warning systems installed under the GLOF-II project were largely non-functional, and remote areas like Talidas had no real-time alerts. In one village, it was a shepherd—not a siren—who noticed the rising water and called neighbors to evacuate, saving many lives.
Stockpiles of essential supplies such as food, medicines, and tents were missing. Hospitals and clinics became inaccessible due to washed-out roads and bridges. Education was disrupted as schools were destroyed or submerged. Women, children, and the elderly were among the most affected, facing not only physical hardship but also a lack of psychosocial support.
These failures point to a broader issue: disaster management in Pakistan remains reactive, rather than preventive. Until preparedness becomes a year-round priority, tragedies like the floods in Ghizer will continue to repeat.
Building a Safer Future: Recommendations
To prevent similar disasters, the report proposes several urgent measures:
- Community-Based Early Warning Systems (EWS): These should combine SMS alerts, local radio, mosque loudspeakers, and trained volunteers who can quickly spread information.
- Hazard Mapping and Safer Land Planning: Every village should have updated hazard maps marking safe and unsafe zones. Building in red (high-risk) areas must be restricted.
- Pre-Stocked Emergency Warehouses: Union Councils should maintain storage of food, water, medicines, and tents for immediate disaster response.
- Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Homes, schools, and hospitals must be rebuilt using flood-resistant and sustainable materials.
- National Green Skills Corps: Training youth in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, and disaster management can create a generation ready to protect their environment.
These steps are not just about responding to disasters — they are about empowering local communities to anticipate, adapt, and act before crises turn into catastrophes.
A Lesson for the Future
The floods in Ghizer serve as a painful reminder that climate change is not a distant threat — it is already reshaping lives in Pakistan’s northern regions. The courage shown by the people of Ghizer, the selfless efforts of volunteers, and the resilience of mountain communities all point to the same truth: local action, backed by national commitment, is the only way forward.
To read the full study and explore in-depth recommendations for disaster preparedness and policy reform, download the complete report below.
📘 Read or Download the Full Report Below:
http://therealnewsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Climate-Change.pdf
Also read: UN General Assembly 2025
