NDMA to decide future course of action

GILGIT: Authorities in Gilgit and Hunza are waiting for the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to take a decision on whether or not to use explosives for breaking boulders preventing erosion of the Attabad Lake spillway.

“The outflow of water has slowed because at least two boulders are preventing it from eating away the spillway’s banks,” said Hunza Assistant Commissioner Zamir Abbas.

He said that water in the lake had risen by about 3.5 inches in the past 24 hours and outflow was still trailing behind inflow. “The outflow recorded on Sunday morning was 5,713 cusecs and the situation in and around the lake was normal. The inflow, triggered by melting glaciers, has surpassed outflow causing the lake’s level to rise,” Abbas told The Express Tribune.

Sources said that some international experts who were visiting the spillway noted that outflow into the spillway was slow. They discussed the issue with NDMA Chairperson Lt-Gen Nadeem Ahmed, who is soon to give final word on the future course of action regarding the lake.

“The NDMA is responsible for it [the lake] and we will do as we are asked to do,” said Abbas, who had just returned after visiting the spillway.

Responding to a question, he said that they had sent a team to Shimshal after media reports suggested that a glacier outburst had blocked a river there, but it appeared that the reports were incorrect.

Meanwhile, Hunza and Nager Deputy Commissioner Zafar Waqar Taj said on Sunday that the Hunza-Gilgit section of the Karakoram Highway, which was closed due to bad weather, was now open for traffic. He said the Attabad lake’s situation was normal and under control. “Relief work is in full swing and the local administration is responsibly performing its duties,” he said, adding that the lake was receiving and discharging the same amount of water, which had stopped water from spreading into the low-lying areas of Gojal. With additional input from APP

Published in the Express Tribune, June 14th, 2010.