By ABDULLAH 
A powerful cloudburst near Naran, a renowned tourist destination in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, triggered a landslide that temporarily blocked the road to Lake Saif-ul-Malook, stranding over 500 tourists and 117 jeeps on Friday, July 25, 2025.
The sudden downpour led to flooding and debris flow on the Lake Saif-ul-Malook route, a scenic road frequently visited by local and international travelers. The intense rainfall caused a landslide, making the passage impossible and trapping hundreds of visitors.
Thanks to swift coordination between:
- Kaghan Development Authority (KDA)
- Tourism Police
- Rescue 1122
More than 500 stranded individuals were safely rescued within hours. Heavy machinery was immediately deployed to clear the road under the supervision of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, and Tourism Secretary Dr. Abdul Samad Khan.
“We threw everything we had into this operation to make sure everyone made it out safe,” said Dr. Abdul Samad.
The road has now been fully restored, and all tourists have been safely relocated without any reported injuries or casualties.
Tourists visiting Naran, Saif-ul-Malook, and Kaghan Valley are advised to stay in touch with the Tourism Helpline 1422 for emergency assistance, especially during the monsoon season.
Dr. Abdul Samad urged travelers to check weather forecasts before visiting hilly areas, emphasizing that safety must always come first:
“It’s better to be safe than sorry. Please avoid visiting high-risk tourist areas during extreme weather conditions.”
This event highlights the climate vulnerability of northern Pakistan’s top tourist destinations. Areas like Lake Saif-ul-Malook, Kaghan Valley, and Naran are highly prone to flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides during the rainy season.
Tourists and travel companies are now being urged to:
- Stay updated on weather alerts
- Avoid travel during rainfall warnings
- Follow official tourism advisories
- Date of Incident: July 25, 2025
- Location: Road to Lake Saif-ul-Malook, Naran
- Rescue Success: 500+ tourists evacuated
- Jeep Traffic Restored: 117+ vehicles cleared
- Status: Road reopened, all tourists safe