Eight local volunteers were killed and seven others injured in a massive landslide while repairing the flood-damaged Danyor Nullah in Gilgit, officials confirmed. The victims were buried under tonnes of mud and rocks during the restoration work as rescue teams raced to recover the bodies.

The incident comes as Pakistan reels from devastating monsoon rains that have triggered urban flooding, flash floods, and landslides across multiple provinces, claiming over 260 lives so far. Gilgit Baltistan has been hit especially hard, with hundreds of homes destroyed, water channels washed away, and key roads rendered impassable.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a recent visit to the region, distributed compensation cheques under a Rs4 billion relief package. He emphasised the urgent need for a modern early warning system to reduce the risk of such disasters and safeguard vulnerable communities.

In Hunza’s Hassanabad area, a shocking incident underscored the dangers faced by travellers in flood-hit regions. A Hiace van driver recklessly drove over a severely damaged road, endangering the lives of passengers. Mere moments after the vehicle crossed, the road collapsed completely.

The footage of the incident has sparked debate over the need for strict road safety measures and public awareness campaigns in disaster-prone zones. Officials have warned that while infrastructure restoration is underway, unstable terrain and ongoing rain make travel extremely hazardous.