Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Chief Secretary Mohyuddin Wani assured that the condition of the post-Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) at Hassanabad bridge is under control and the district administration is managing it efficiently.
On Saturday (May 7), the glacial lake over Shisper glacier unleashed a huge outburst of flood in Hunza due to which a few more lakes were made, as revealed by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). The reason for the glacial lake outburst flood in Hunza was mainly due to the sudden temperature rise in the northern areas.
However today, the chief secretary said that visitors can safely travel from Gilgit to Hunza and wherever within the region. Though, while moving towards Hunza a 15-min additional diversion through Nager Valley will be needed to reach Karimabad, central and upper Hunza, Aliabad, including Attabaad lake.
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“We have established district and divisional level foreigner’s security cells. The administration at the district level has been further empowered with resources to be equipped for any eventuality. Powers have also been delegated to the district administration to facilitate visiting domestic and foreign tourists,” CS Wani said.
He further said that an alternate way via Nager Valley has been properly managed making sure the safe travel of visitors, “personally travelled twice on the route yesterday and today and found it secure for the movement of vehicles,” Chief Secretary added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally took notice of the GLOF at Hassanabad bridge and ordered the concerned authorities to enable the required emergency measures as soon as possible.
The orders were released when the damage was caused by the melting of the Shishper glacier, unleashing a flood of water into the downstream lake which flooded the surrounding areas.
Moreover, the premier directed authorities to move affected people and their transportable articles to safe areas and mobilize supplies of food, medicines and other emergency equipment to the affected parts.
