If not addressed, there was a likelihood of a serious calamity because several cracks had developed in the water reservoir. - File photo

GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly Speaker Wazir Baig on Monday constituted a committee headed by Wazir Shakil, Minister for Water and Power, to investigate reasons behind cracks appeared in the water reservoir of 18MW power station in Naltar.

The committee was formed after member Syed Raziuddin Rizvi raised a question in the assembly session that there was likelihood of calamity in case the water reservoir burst as it had developed several cracks.

While responding to the question Minister Wazir Shakil said 15km long reservoir had accumulated tons of silt because of flashfloods of the last year, which caused cracks in it. He informed the house that experts had been hired to clean the reservoir. He said electricity to Gilgit city would be restored by Tuesday, which has been suspended for past five days due to the fault in the power station.

The Speaker Wazir Baig also directed the food minister to clarify whether or not the subsidy on wheat was being withdrawn as members raised hue and cry over the rumours of its withdrawal.

The food minister said while wheat prices were needed to be increased subsidy on its transportation would not be withdrawn.

Maulana Sarwar of JUI drew attention of the house towards law and order situation in the region.

SNOWFALL:Snowfall in the high altitude areas of Gilgit-Baltistan continued on the second consecutive day on Monday while plain areas received rain. A sever cold wave forced residents to remain indoors.

Phandar, Yasin, Ishkoman, Gupis, Khanbary, Babusar, Kharman, upper parts of Ghanche and Skadru districts, Minimarg, Qmri, Gultari, Mir Malik, and some valleys received heavy snowfall.

Police said there was no report of any casualty due to fresh spell of snowfall. Flights between Gilgit and Islamabad were also suspended due to inclement weather.

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