Flash flood kills five on Pakistan mountain highway; 20 still missing

At least five people died Tuesday after a flash flood swept away tourist vehicles on a popular mountain highway in northern Pakistan, where an unusually severe monsoon season has already claimed more than 220 lives nationwide since late June.

Around 22 people are missing across the country, including a father and daughter who were swept away in their car in the capital Islamabad during Tuesday morning's torrential rains.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, the flood inundated a 10-kilometer stretch of the Thak-Babusar Road, a mountainous region known for its scenic valleys that attracts thousands of domestic and foreign tourists annually. Four of the confirmed dead were tourists, while one was a local resident, according to provincial government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq.

"More than 250 individuals who were stranded in various locations have been rescued," Faraq told Nukta, adding that debris continues hampering rescue efforts with around 20 vehicles still trapped in the flood zone.

The flash flood began Monday, turning the scenic mountain route into a debris-filled waterway that trapped hundreds of travelers. Rescue teams have been working around the clock to locate survivors and clear blocked sections of the road.

The provincial government has deployed helicopters and drones alongside ground teams from the Disaster Management Authority, district administration, police, and Pakistan Army in the ongoing rescue operation. The Chief Minister is personally overseeing the mission, Faraq said.

The Thak-Babusar Road connects Pakistan's northern regions and serves as a key route for tourists visiting Gilgit-Baltistan's towering peaks and deep valleys. The area's dramatic geography, while attracting visitors, makes it particularly vulnerable to landslides and flash floods during heavy rains.

Search continues for missing father, daughter in Islamabad

In the capital, rescue teams continued searching for a retired army officer and his daughter who were swept away when their car stalled in floodwater in an upscale housing society.

Retired Colonel Ishaq Qazi, 62, and his daughter, 25, left their home in DHA Phase 5 early Tuesday morning when their grey Honda City became trapped in accumulated rainwater on a nearby street, according to police.

While Colonel Ishaq attempted to restart the vehicle, intensifying water flow swept both father and daughter into a drainage system. Only the car's bumper has been recovered so far.

"The water flow was fast, so the car slipped into the drain as soon as it left the house and got stuck," said housing society officials, who warned residents about the intense water flow at around 8:15 AM.

Pakistan's monsoon season has arrived with unrelenting intensity this year. The seasonal rains frequently turn deadly due to poor infrastructure and inadequate drainage systems.