GILGIT: “When we build where water is meant to flow, we invite disaster,” said Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Gulbar Khan on Monday, as he lamented the widespread destruction caused by recent floods.
His comments came in the wake of severe flooding across the region that damaged or completely washed away over 500 homes. At least 10 people were killed and six others injured in the disaster. According to the Gilgit-Baltistan government, the estimated financial losses have exceeded Rs20 billion, placing enormous pressure on the region’s already limited resources.
During a visit to the flood-ravaged area of Skarkoi near Gilgit, Gulbar said it had become painfully evident that unregulated construction and unchecked encroachments in flood-prone zones were directly responsible for the loss of life, homes and infrastructure. “We cannot afford to repeat this mistake,” he warned. He directed the local administration to consult community elders and take decisive steps to remove all encroachments from flood channels to prevent future disasters. “This is no longer just a policy issue, it’s a matter of survival,” he said.
The chief minister reiterated that providing clean drinking water, restoring irrigation systems and ensuring power supply remained the top priorities of the provincial government in all flood-hit areas. Acknowledging the scale of destruction and the region’s limited resources, he said formal requests for support had been sent to the federal government and international aid agencies.
Taking notice of delays in ongoing work on the Skarkoi Road, he instructed the deputy commissioner to immediately resolve land compensation issues stalling progress. He was accompanied by Special Assistant Ali Quaid, GB Assembly Member Jamil Ahmed, Special Assistants Hussain Shah and Zabihullah, and other senior officials. Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority and district administration officials briefed the chief minister on the damages and rehabilitation efforts underway.
