Heat breaks records in Gilgit-Baltistan: Melting glaciers trigger floods

The deadly impact of climate change has reached dangerous new heights in northern Pakistan, where record-breaking heat is triggering glacial melting in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), unleashing massive floods and widespread destruction.

According to a joint investigative report by City 42 and China Global Television Network (CGTN), the Hopper Valley and other northern regions are now facing some of the worst flooding in recent memory.

--Shisper Glacier melting threatens Karakoram Highway--

Glaciers in Gilgit-Baltistan—once a symbol of enduring strength—are now collapsing into rivers of destruction. Roads have been swept away, homes destroyed, and entire communities left stranded amid the chaos.

The rapidly melting Shisper Glacier in Hunza’s Hassanabad area has become a serious threat to both the Karakoram Highway and the surrounding communities. Authorities have begun evacuations, fearing a more violent outburst in the coming days.

--High temperature in G-B breaks all old records--

The Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) reported that recent high temperatures have shattered decades-old records. In Chilas, temperatures soared above 45°C last week—the highest seen in nearly 30 years.

This extreme heat has caused the Hopper Glacier to melt at an alarming pace, leading to severe flooding across the Hunza, Nagar, and Diamer districts.

--Farmers in trouble--

Landslides have buried roads, farmlands have been submerged, and residents have been forced to flee as glacial lakes burst and torrents of icy floodwaters thunder through the valleys. The road leading to the Hopper Valley has been destroyed.

--Witness from Hopar Valley--

A resident of Hopper Valley, Sadaqat Ali, shared his distress: “I’ve been coming here since I was a child. The glacier has melted dramatically—at least 30 to 40 feet. And now, with this intense heat, even snowfall isn’t like it used to be.”

“The majority of people in Hunza’s Hassanabad area depend on farming,” said Sadaqat Ali. “But every summer, these floods come and destroy everything.”

--Flood in Nagar Khas--

In Nagar Khas, the situation is no less dire. Floodwaters have destroyed irrigation systems and drinking water sources. Electricity has been cut off in many parts, and makeshift bridges have been swept away, isolating entire communities.

As per the report, disaster response teams are working around the clock to reopen blocked roads and restore essential supplies, but they are struggling to keep pace with the fast-degrading mountainous terrain.

--Experts warn glaciers melting at record rate--

Experts warn that the glaciers—crucial sources of Pakistan’s river systems—are now melting at record rates due to global warming. The very ice that once gave life to the region is now endangering it.

With temperatures continuing to rise, the full extent of destruction still lies ahead, and no one can say how much more the fragile landscape—and the people—can endure, the experts said.

Reporter: Danial Khan