ISLAMABAD: Part of glacier fell into River Immit in Ishkoman, Gilgit- Baltistan (G-B) on Tuesday.
A ‘lake’ was consequently formed with the flow of water being restricted. An official told The Express Tribune that no causualties or injuries had been reported. Five houses, however, have been damaged in the incident.
A team of experts including a geologist, an engineer and a regional programme officer have left for G-B to take stock. “ We’re waiting for them to return and share details,” an official said. The obstruction has been removed and the situation has normalised, he said.
Growing glaciers prove cold comfort for Pakistan’s Shimshal valley
“Residents have been evacuated,” he said. The official said climate change was to be blamed for the incident.
Such occurrences are routine. Authorities have been placed on high alert to deal with any untoward situation.
NDMA
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) a part of the river is still blocked at the Batsuwat area which is 60km from Gahkuch headquarters.
Owing to erosion of Galcier mixed with mud and stones has blocked the main river.
Water has spilled over the blockade around 10 times and then it got blocked again, according to the disaster management authority.
Currently, it has been blocked for the last 3 hours since some of the area inundated by water.
The road has been cut off at Bilhanz as around 150-meter road stands washed away with flood with no other route available.
Ten small villages consisting 180 households are cut off due to blockade.
The families have been shifted to safe locations from these houses with crops also being damaged.
Calls for swift measures to counter impacts
Original news : https://tribune.com.pk/story/1761088/1-lake-formed-glacier-falls-g-bs-immit-river/