A sudden glacier burst coupled with a cloudburst unleashed massive destruction in Gulmit village of Hunza Valley, sending floodwaters surging through streams and leaving at least 50 people narrowly escaping death.

The natural disaster struck Gulmit Gojal in Gilgit-Baltistan when a cloudburst and glacier burst triggered severe flooding in the Jochhar Stream.

The force of the water caused widespread panic as residents and tourists scrambled for safety.

Government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said massive boulders fell from mountains onto the Karakoram Highway, forcing authorities to temporarily suspend traffic.

Tourists were stranded while rescue teams rushed to the area.

The Shigar River swelled rapidly after the cloudburst, sweeping through Gojal Stream and trapping about 50 labourers working on a water channel.

The workers managed to save themselves, but several homes were washed away, a hotel was destroyed, and dozens of trees were uprooted.

Eyewitnesses described the deafening roar of the floodwaters and the speed of the torrent, which also eroded the riverbanks and damaged sections of the highway. Power and communication lines in the area were severely disrupted.

Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and cooperate with rescue operations as relief efforts continue in the flood-hit zone.