Harsh temperatures: Army help sought to reach areas cut off by snowfall

Five people reported dead in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan.

GILGIT:

Authorities in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) have decided to seek the army’s help in delivering medicines to valleys at high altitude, which have been cut off by heavy snowfall.

At least five people were reported dead in Qamri and Minimurg areas of G-B due to harsh temperatures. “We are planning to seek the army’s help in reaching people in these areas,” confirmed Regional Health Minister Gulbar Khan.

G-B lacks basic health facilities and the plight of residents is further aggravated in winters when the area is completely cut off from November to March.

Helicopter service

As the Attabad Lake freezes in winters, leading to the suspension of boat services, inhabitants of Gojal Valley are left with no means to cross the lake. The authorities in G-B have hence, launched a helicopter service to transport passengers from either side of the lake.

“The chopper service will run flights consecutively on Wednesday and Thursday so that most people can avail the service,” said Shehzad Ahmed, an official at the regional government’s information cell.

Earlier, an aged woman died when she could not be transported in time to a hospital.

“A team of officials led by DIG Ali Sher has been sent to assist the administration in transporting the passengers,” said the official, adding that the arrangement was made on the request of G-B Assembly Speaker Wazir Baig.

Dozens of frustrated commuters stranded in Hunza for a week staged a sit-in and blocked the highway on Tuesday, demanding launching of chopper services for those stranded.  The lake has been a constant source of trouble for Gojalis who claim their economy has been wrecked ever since the lake was formed.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2013.