GILGIT: A sudden flood triggered by a cloudburst early Thursday morning caused widespread destruction in Darel, an additional district of Gilgit-Baltistan, damaging homes, crops, and trees.

Assistant Commissioner Waseem Abbas told that the flood struck around 5am in the Majini Mohalla area. “People were awake for Fajr prayers and raised alarms, which helped prevent any loss of life,” he said.

According to initial assessments, 20 to 25 houses were partially damaged while five homes were completely washed away. Crops, orchards, and trees were also badly affected. Reports of flooding in other streams of the Darel valley are being verified, the official added.

Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said a “high-level flood” had swept through the valley, damaging dozens of houses. He praised villagers for issuing traditional warnings that allowed residents to evacuate in time.

“Without the timely alert, dozens of lives could have been lost,” Mr Faraq said, adding that livestock, standing crops, and agricultural land suffered significant losses.

Under the directives of Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, relief and rescue teams, including disaster management units, have been dispatched to the affected areas.

The chief minister directed the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) and the Commissioner of Diamer to launch immediate relief operations. In a statement, he assured that tents and essential supplies would be provided to families whose houses were destroyed.

“The district administration must visit the affected villages and begin rehabilitation work on an emergency basis,” he said.