By Aleena Butt
For the people of Pakistan residing in the fertile lowlands, the climate change impacts have always seemed distant, a warning highlighted by Western narratives. In contrast, for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, this impact has become a harsh reality. For Gilgit-Baltistan, it is no longer a distant threat – it is a waking nightmare.
The blessed region, laden with icy glaciers, lush green valleys, and towering mountains, has become one of the world’s most vulnerable zones to climate change.
Climate change is a global phenomenon, affecting the entire planet, but its adverse impacts are, however, distributed and felt unevenly. Research shows that developing countries stand at the frontlines of this unfolding crisis. Gilgit-Baltistan serves as a stark example of this unequal burden, experiencing climate-related catastrophes firsthand.
On-the-ground Realities for the People of Gilgit-Baltistan
The poor response from the government, limited resources, low financial and technological capacity, lack of access, and low literacy rates fuel local hardships. Poor agrarian communities have become extremely vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. They contribute less than 1% to global CO₂ and greenhouse gas emissions, yet face the greatest consequences. If we briefly overview the impact global change has on the region, words might fall short. For the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, this isn’t just a crisis. It is their everyday reality. In 2025 alone, the region experienced record-breaking heat waves. A staggering 48.5 °C was recorded in Chilas and 46.1 °C in Bonji on 5th July.
The effects of climate change don’t arrive in waves or intervals—they come all at once: severe, accelerating, and unrelenting. To the reader, this might sound like an average temperature for the summer months; however, for the region of Gilgit-Baltistan, this is a huge anomaly. For a region sitting at the height of 10,990 feet and housing the world’s second-highest peak, K2, this is, when it definitely should not be, the new normal. Consequently, the ripples of such a small increment in temperatures are leading to devastating events in the region. This year alone, we saw everything, from glacial lake outburst flooding, erratic rainfall, to intense heatwaves, droughts, and freshwater scarcity. This does not even account for the massive economic and infrastructural losses sustained by the region.
Their voices rarely reach beyond the mountains, but their struggle is a mirror of what the rest of the world might face tomorrow.
El Niño and the Changing Face of the Seasons
The latest report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on El Niño has warned that South Asia is going to be one of the hardest-hit regions. Where most regions around the world experience ‘just cold weather’, in Pakistan, it is not only the winters that are going to be extreme, but the summers as well.
For northern areas like Gilgit Baltistan, this translates to heavy snowfall, early frost, and below-freezing nights. The year 2025 saw many challenges and unprecedented threats to the social and natural systems of the region. The communities in other parts of Gilgit Baltistan, like Nagar district, have reported extreme loss of major crops, pastures, infrastructure, and livelihood due to increased frequency of extreme climatic events. Keep in mind that about 80% of the local population depends on subsistence farming.
Furthermore, if we dig deeper, this year’s monsoon season brought torrential downpour, floods, and devastation of lives, agriculture, and property as well. This represents a dual blow for Pakistan, which is primarily an agricultural country.
The Flash Flooding Incident: Swat River
Another harrowing event that shocked not only the people of Pakistan but the whole world was the video that showed a family of eighteen, swept away by the Swat River. The family’s holiday turned into tragedy when a normal outing at a tourist spot left them stranded as the river swelled in seconds.
The calm Swat River turned into a raging beast. Eyewitnesses said it was as if a dam had burst. The family screamed for help for two hours; however, help arrived too late. Eighteen people from the same family were swept away, and 9 bodies were later retrieved.
The aftermath was devastating. The uproar is even more so.
This incident not only exposed how poorly the local region is equipped to handle casualties and natural disasters of this scale, but also served as a reminder of how precarious climate change actually is.
Understanding Why Gilgit is Vulnerable to Climate Change
To understand why Gilgit-Baltistan is so vulnerable to climate change, we need to understand its geography and man-made environmental issues. A recent video circulating online showed hundreds of logs drifting down flooded rivers—evidence of the silent and unchecked deforestation in regions like Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Kohistan by the Timber Mafia. This has further exacerbated the situation.
This commercial exploitation, combined with population growth and growing demand for more luxury hotels and resorts to support the ever-increasing tourism boom, has stripped the land of its natural defenses. Forests that once absorbed rainfall and anchored the soil are disappearing, leaving behind a landscape that cannot heal itself.
Interconnection of Gilgit-Baltistan with Southern Pakistan
The crisis is further compounded by the geography of the region. Nestled and surrounded by the three mighty ranges, the Himalayas, Karakoram, and the Hindukush, Gilgit-Baltistan naturally holds the largest number of glaciers outside the polar region. These glaciers are not only essential for the region’s ecosystem but for the survival of the Indus River too!
These icy sentinels feed into the Indus River, acting as a source of freshwater for the whole southern region, particularly the provinces of Punjab and Sindh. Breathing life-altering energy into the fertile plains, sustaining the people and the land.
This is exactly what happened this year. The melting glaciers fed into the Indus River and its tributaries. Ravi, Jhelum, Chenab, and Sutlej experienced exceptionally high water levels. Warnings were issued, several regions experienced severe flooding, and Army rescue teams were later deployed. Thus, the vulnerability of Gilgit-Baltistan is not only a local threat but also a national one. If we have the foresight, we can realize how much we stand to lose. It is not just land and lives at stake, but the very fabric of our future.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the climate change impacts on Gilgit-Baltistan are increasingly severe. Climate change is affecting glaciers, weather patterns, and local ecosystems. Communities face threats to agriculture, water resources, and livelihoods. Urgent action is required through sustainable adaptation, policy support, and community engagement. By raising awareness and implementing practical solutions, the region can mitigate risks and build resilience. It can also protect the environment and safeguard the well-being of its people against growing climate challenges.
Aleena Butt is a Website Content Writer at Progressive Climate Foundation (PCF).
