Victims complain of lack of facilities, harsh attitude

Residents complained that the problems of those displaced by the Attabad lake crisis are getting worse.

The problems of those displaced by the Attabad lake disaster are further being compounded by a lack of life saving facilities and rude officials, residents complained.

“Most of the boats are not equipped with life jackets which are essential in such crossings,” said Murtaza, a resident of Gojal adding that the officials were also rude with the passengers.

The government officials, however, denied incidents of mistreatment.

Anwar, another native of Hunza, said that the trips via Attabad Lake was extremely dangerous as boats could overturn due to strong currents. The experts termed the use of life jackets essential during voyages to ensure minimum loss to life because of the continuous land slides in Attabad.

Currently, nine boats are being used to transport passengers between Hunza and Gojal. Officials informed that another 20 boats, belonging both to the traders and the government, have been sent to Attabad, and will primarily transport goods. Around 25,000 people have been trapped in upper Hunza for the past six months, due to the submerged Karakoram Highway (KKH).

In Gilgit, a delegation of Gojal has asked President Asif Zardari to visit the affected areas to have first-hand knowledge of the situation. They accused the Pakistan Peoples Party for keeping the president oblivious of the plight of the affectees.

The 23-kilometre long Attabad lake was formed after a massive landslide struck the area earlier this year, killing 20 people and injuring several others. At least 25 kms of the strategic KKH has been submerged as the lake expanded upstream. At least a five-inch drop has been recorded in the lake level as the outflow of 17,176 cusecs surpassed the inflow on Friday, according to the officials.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2010.