Ghizer glacial lake recedes, threat eases

Fresh rain stokes fear of new GLOF

GILGIT:

The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government announced on Sunday that the lake formed after a recent glacial outburst in Ghizer district has receded to 40 feet and no longer poses a threat to nearby settlements.

G-B government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said the situation downstream, which had earlier sparked alarm for Ghizer, Gilgit and Diamer districts, was now under control. He assured that for now, there was no danger from the lake.

However, the toll of the disaster has already been heavy. According to Israruddin Israr, coordinator of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in G-B, more than 3,000 people belonging to 330 households have been displaced, making this the second-largest internal displacement in the region since the 2010 Attabad tragedy.

Talidas village bore the brunt of the calamity, with its residents now moved to a tent settlement. He admitted that the early warning system in Ghizer had not been active at the time of the incident.

Meanwhile, relief operations are underway under the supervision of G-B Chief Secretary Abrar Ahmed Mirza.

Faraq also revealed that three shepherds, credited with saving hundreds of lives through their timely warnings, have been invited by the Prime Minister's Secretariat. "We have been told by the PM Secretariat to send the three shepherds to Islamabad. It seems that [Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif] will meet the shepherds and encourage them," he said.

One of the shepherds, Wasiyat Khan from Rawshan village, was near the glacier when he used his mobile phone to alert the community about the impending flood. "It is also necessary to encourage Nasir, who saved about half a dozen human lives in Ghizer's Daen [village]. Ali Ahmed, who saved the lives of about 50 volunteers in Gojal Valley's Gulmit town, is also indispensable," Faraq added.

However, locals complained that hundreds of displaced people in Talidas continue to face difficulties in accessing basic necessities.

In a statement, G-B Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) Director General Zakir Hussain said standard operating procedures (SOPs) had been prepared to safely release water from the artificial lake while ensuring protection for nearby communities and infrastructure.

Former G-B chief minister Hafeezur Rehman raised concerns over the Rs10 billion Glof-II early warning system project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme under the federal climate change ministry.

Meanwhile, as recovery efforts continue, fresh rainfall has sparked new fears of more Glof incidents across G-B.

According to the district administration, Astore Valley Road was blocked after landslides, while roads, water channels, and irrigation systems were cut off at several points.