Artificial lake springs up in Gilgit village after glacier melting

GILGIT: An artificial lake has sprung up in the Ishkoman valley of Ghizer district, Gilgit-Baltistan, after melting of a small glacier

Following the glacier melt, at least 30 houses were inundated as well as cultivated land, a link road and cattle farms. Several vehicles were also washed away in its wake.

The water has submerged more than 30 houses, cultivated land, a link road and cattle farms and washed away over a dozen vehicles and hundreds of cattle head in the upstream areas.

Ghizer Shuja Alam, Deputy Commissioner of the area, said that the Barsuwat glacier started melting on Tuesday at about 7pm. Water from the melting glacier, containing mud and stones, fell into Barsuwat Nullah and caused flooding.

The nullah ultimately falls into the Immit River whose flow has been blocked and the stagnant water has created an artificial lake similar to Attabad Hunza lake, disconnecting upstream villages from other areas.

A statement issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), read that a team of administration officials along with GBDMA staff has reached the location of the river blockade.

It further stated, “Tents for the displaced families have been sent to Barsuwat and a medical team with medicines has been directed to reach the Bilhanz dispensary. Food has been sent for the stranded people.”