OUR CORRESPONDENT
GILGIT: A glacial lake outburst in Gilgit Baltistan’s (GB) Ghizer district has once again unleashed flooding and caused widespread destruction, leading to the creation of artificial lake, officials said on Friday. GB government spokesperson Faizullah Firaq confirmed that the glacier burst at Tali Das in the Gupis area of Ghizer triggered flooding and destruction. He said that multiple villages were submerged, causing severe financial losses. However, no loss of human life has been reported yet. According to the district administration, landslides have completely blocked the Gilgit–Shandur Road. Landslides occurred from two directions in the Tali Das stream, cutting off the Raushan village. Ghizer’s additional deputy commissioner reported that a landslide in Raushan, Tali Das, had completely blocked the flow of the Ghizer River since 3am, with more communities being affected by the floodwater. However, timely warnings to residents ensured that no lives were lost. In a statement, rescue incharge Raja Ajmal said as many as 200 affected people had been shifted to Sumal and Yangal areas. He said rescue operation was underway to pull out six people from Rawshan drain. The rescue incharge said water has started flowing after six hours-long blockage of Ghizer River, reducing the flooding risk for low-lying areas. GB Home Minister Shams Lone said that although the flood had caused devastation in Ghizer once again, no loss of life had been reported so far. He added that reports had emerged of some people being stranded, for which helicopters had been requested. A Force Command Northern Areas commander has already dispatched a helicopter on an emergency basis for rescue efforts. Meanwhile, the government spokesperson said that over 50 people have been rescued so far. He said the glacier outburst has blocked the river flow in the region, causing water to back up and form a large lake, putting nearby settlements at risk of submergence.
