Several villages submerged due to glacial lake outburst flood in Gilgit: official

Several villages have been submerged due to glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in Ghizer district of Gilgit as flood-related destruction continues in the region, Gilgit-Baltistan Government Spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said on Friday.

“People have suffered significant financial losses due to the flood, but there have been no casualties. The incident of glacier burst occurred at Talidas area in the Gupis, Ghizer,” Faraq said.

Though the river flow has stopped from advancing, but there were concerns of further damage, he said.

“The chief minister is personally monitoring the situation to prevent further losses. Water has taken the form of a [artificial] lake, increasing the risk of more nearby villages being submerged,” he maintained.

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The Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson said more than 50 people trapped due to the glacier burst had been rescued as further relief operations are ongoing in the region.

He said officials from the administration, Rescue 1122, and disaster management department are present at the site.

The spokesperson said GB CM Haji Gulbar Khan had left for Ghizer to inspect the affected areas on an emergency basis and review the relief operations as well. Gulbar will hold meetings with the affectees and heirs of the deceased to express condolence over the deaths.

Faraq said the Ghizer administration will brief the chief minister on flood destructions as well.

Moreover, he said, the GB CM has directed to expedite the rescue operations in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, medicines, blankets, tents and food items have been delivered in the affected parts of the province, the official said.

Relief operation The Ghizer deputy commissioner and rescue team reached the incident site within one hour and conducted an on-ground assessment, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the local administration mobilised a rapid assessment team for detailed village-level evaluation. All the head of departments have been instructed to move to the site for coordination and initial response, the NDMA added.

It said ambulances have been deployed to affected areas, with District Health Officer (DHO) along his medical teams is present on-site to provide emergency treatment.

Moreover, the disaster management authority said helicopter sorties are in progress to assess the real situation and evacuate any standard population.

“All downstream 63 schools have been safely evacuated. Alerts issued for downstream populations from lake site up to Biarchi (Boarder with Gilgit District). Rescue 1122 teams mobilised and engaged downstream operations,” it said.

The NDMA said response operations are being held under the supervision of Ghizer DC assisted by additional director GB Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) Ghizer.

The floods and heavy rains the monsoon season this year have caused massive financial and life losses in Gilgit-Baltistan.

PM Shehbaz on August 8 held separate meetings with Gilgit-Baltistan Governor Syed Mehdi Shah and CM Gulbar during his daylong visit to the region.

The GB dignitaries briefed the prime minister on the flood situation and damages caused by recent rains, the PM Office said, as death toll had surged to 299 due to rain-related incidents across the country.

Following the meetings, the prime minister presided a forum in Gilgit regarding the damage caused by recent rains and floods in the region. PM Shehbaz directed the forum for making concerted and vigorous efforts to effectively deal with the challenge of climate change.

He directed the Ministry of Climate Change to adopt a more proactive approach. He underscored the importance of generating funds to develop climate-resilient infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of possible GLOFs, flash floods, and landslides in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from August 23.

According to the advisory, scattered rains and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls are likely to prevail in both regions, raising the risk of flooding and landslides in vulnerable glaciated areas.

The PMD advised all concerned departments and agencies to remain alert and take precautionary measures to mitigate potential damage.

The alert has been circulated to the NDMA, Ministry of Climate Change, provincial disaster management authorities, Rescue 1122, and other relevant stakeholders.