June 26, 2005	Sunday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 18, 1426

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GILGIT, June 25: The authorities have imposed emergency on Ghizer as floodwater and river currents, which have eroded roads, fields and residential areas over the past week, showed no sign of respite. Sources said the streams that fed the Gilgit River had caused huge losses in the lower areas. The torrents have destroyed at least nine shops in Gulmutee and the Gilgit-Ghizer road is at the verge of erosion at many points in Gitch, Gahkuch and Juch Bargu areas. People are strengthening embankments bunds to save the Gahkuch Bazaar from being inundated.

In Gilgit, floodwater has damaged roads, fields and residential areas and more localities are in danger.

Floodwater is eroding fields and residential areas in Baseen Khari, Amphary, Domiyal, Sonikote and Konodas areas along the banks of the Gilgit River. It has eroded the River View Road at at least two points and there is danger that the road may be destroyed if the flow continues. Water has entered a hotel on the right bank of the river.

Local administration said it had established a control room and started rescue operations.

APP adds: The administration has made arrangements to shelter thousands of displaced people, the Gilgit assistant commissioner said. He said hundreds of houses had been submerged and thousands of people Rendered homeless. He said many government buildings were being used to accommodate the uprooted people.

The Northern Areas administration had been requested to step up supply of medicines and other relief material for the affected people, he said.

Sources said floodwater had washed away two suspension bridges, suspending traffic between Gilgit and Ghizer.

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