A cloudburst triggered a significant landslide in Kaghan Valley, temporarily trapping over 500 tourists near Lake Saif-ul-Malook. All were safely rescued and relocated following a swift response by authorities.
The landslide, blocking access to the popular lake, left travelers stranded in 117 jeeps. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur ordered immediate action, deploying the Kaghan Development Authority (KDA) for an emergency operation.
The KDA’s engineers utilized heavy machinery to clear the debris and reinstate road access. Tourism Secretary Abdul Samad affirmed the government’s commitment to tourist safety and encouraged the use of the tourism helpline (1422) for emergencies.
The collaborative operation, involving the KDA, Tourism Police, and Rescue Services, successfully cleared the path for the affected vehicles. Officials verified the road’s complete reopening after debris removal.
Separately, search and rescue missions continue in Chilas and Thak Babusar for individuals reported missing due to flooding. The Meteorological Department forecasts predominantly hot and humid weather across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the next 24 hours, with isolated thunderstorms predicted in upper districts including Dir, Swat, and others.
Recent rainfall was documented in Nowshera, Abbottabad, and Swat. The forecast also anticipates sustained heat and humidity in major cities like Karachi, Quetta, Islamabad, and Peshawar, with scattered thunderstorms anticipated in northern areas including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.