Islamabad: A massive glacier burst in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghizer district has wreaked havoc, destroying over 300 houses and dozens of shops while washing away farmland and road networks. The disaster, triggered by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), struck early Friday morning, creating an artificial lake spanning more than 7 kilometres.
Villages Submerged, Farmland Destroyed
The sudden burst followed by landslides devastated Rawshan and Tildas villages, submerging nearly 80% of Rawshan village and flooding several others including Tildas, Miduri, Mulaabad, Hawks Thangi, and Goth. Local media reported extensive financial losses, though no human casualties have been confirmed so far.
Relief and Rescue Operations
Authorities stated that 330 houses and dozens of shops were damaged or destroyed. Relief operations are underway, with urgent requirements for tents, food supplies, and essentials for displaced families, according to Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Gupis Yasin.
Rescue teams confirmed that at least 200 people were evacuated to safety, after initial fears that thousands more homes downstream could be flooded. Fortunately, the natural spillway of the artificial lake allowed water to gradually flow out, reducing immediate risks.
Authorities on High Alert
Senior Ghizer official Sher Afzal cautioned that while water levels are receding, the natural dam at Rawshan remains unstable, posing further danger if pressure builds. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a high alert in glaciated regions, warning of fresh rainfall from August 23 that could trigger additional flooding.
This incident marks the fifth major GLOF in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this season, with repeated disasters highlighting the growing threat of climate-induced glacier melts in the Himalayan region.
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