Gilgit, Aug 8 — Floods and landslides have blocked the Gilgit–Shandur Road for more than a week, cutting off remote valleys from the rest of the region.
Flash floods between Phandar and Teru washed away several road sections. Swollen streams burst their banks after days of heavy rain. Hundreds of residents and tourists remain stranded. Food and fuel supplies are running low.
The road links Gilgit-Baltistan with Chitral through the Shandur Pass, which rises over 3,700 meters. It is vital for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. In summer, it attracts thousands for its scenery and the Shandur Polo Festival.
“We are clearing debris and repairing the road,” said a Public Works Department official. “Rain and unstable slopes are slowing our work.”
The closure has stalled travel and deliveries. Locals are urging the government to speed repairs and send relief. Forecasts warn of more rain, raising fears of longer delays.