Glacial Floods Bring Water Shortages in the Areas of Gilgit-Baltistan

GILGIT- On Sunday, due to climate change, the glacial lake outburst flood from Shishper glacier damaged the public and private properties in Hassanabad Nullah. Thus, the flood also brings water shortages in the area, barely leaving water for drinking and irrigation.

Record breaking flood:

The recent flood in Gilgit-Baltistan marks the worst incident in the history of Pakistan. According to the Assistant Director of the Gilgit Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) for Hunza and Nagar, Zubair Ahmed Khan, said, “The volume of today’s flood was the highest in the Nullah since 2018.” 

He also said that due to this flood, the main roads were badly damaged. That is why the traffic on these roads is diverted via the Sas Valley road from Murtazabad. Moreover, the flood damaged the irrigation system and agricultural lands, trees, and public and private properties of the people there.

Destruction in GB villages:

Hassanabad faces harsh destruction due to this flood. Many people lost their habitat, while most of the houses are at risk. A local resident said, “The flood eroded land near multiple homes and put more than 50 houses near Hassanabad Nullah at risk. Several homes have developed cracks. Ten houses were dismantled recently to try to save them from the water.”

The flood also happened in the last month, but with less intensity than the current flood. Though last month’s flood destroyed four homes and the crops and fields of the farmers. This time, the damage reached its peak.

Authorities said that the flood came at that time when the Shishper’s Glacier Water Discharge was blocked for an hour. Thus, the flood came with its full severity and destroyed the safety walls, irrigation system, and drinking-water channels to Aliabad and its associated villages.

In addition, the flood also destroyed a bridge and the Hisper Valley road in Tokorkot village. Now, in these areas, even in Shamshal valley, the residential houses, protective walls and the main road links are under threat. Many of them are also destroyed.

Restoration pending:

Recently, a cloudburst happened that damaged the irrigation and the main water channels. However, the restoration work has started, but the recent flood also stopped the restoration work.

Moreover, people are left with no water. A local resident said, “Crops and trees have dried up.” People are now seeking more water resources because the only source left is glacier-fed water for their survival.

Volunteers have started working to restore them. Though experts have warned that the high temperature and heatwaves have accelerated glacier melt. That is why the flooding happened frequently this year.