A massive mudslide in Gilgit-Baltistan has created a lake, raising fears of catastrophic flooding across the region. The landslide on August, 21, 2025, blocked the flow of the Ghizer River, forming a dam-like structure that experts warn could collapse under pressure, unleashing flash floods downstream through Ghizer, Gilgit, Astore and Diamer.
The lake is said to be approximately seven kilometers long.
Authorities said the natural barrier stretches for several kilometers and has already forced the evacuation of nearby residents after a shepherd reported the blockage. Water has begun spilling over parts of the dam, but officials remain concerned that rising inflows or fresh rains could trigger a sudden breach.
The situation has drawn comparisons to the 2010 Attabad disaster, when a massive landslide blocked the Hunza River and created a 21-kilometre-long lake that submerged villages, displaced thousands, and severed the Karakoram Highway for months. Similar events in recent years, including repeated glacial lake outburst floods and slides triggered by heavy monsoon rains, have heightened the vulnerability of Gilgit-Baltistan’s fragile mountain terrain.
Emergency teams are on high alert, monitoring water levels and preparing for possible relief operations. Experts caution that while slow discharge reduces the immediate risk, the threat of a sudden collapse remains.
Residents downstream have been urged to stay vigilant as the situation evolves.