GILGIT: Flash floods triggered by glacial lake outbursts continued to wreak havoc across Gilgit-Baltistan, damaging at least 10 houses and two shops and destroying two vehicles and a motorcycle in Yasin Valley of Ghizer district on Saturday, police officials said.

Link roads to the valley have also been disconnected. The floods also swept away standing crops and corn fields, cherry and apricot orchards, and damaged three water channels that are the sources of irrigation and drinking water for many residents. Many people had to take shelter in places of worship.

District administration started relief activities in the affected areas, dispatching food and other necessary items.

Ghulam Muhammad, a senior minister in the GB government from Yasin, said all possible steps were being taken to provide relief to the people in affected areas, which have been hit by water shortage. He said work for restoring link roads had also started on an emergency basis.

After high floods in various nullahs of Ghizer, the water level in the Gilgit river also increased to an alarming level.

People living alongside the river have been asked to remain vigilant. High floods in various nullahs in Skardu, Ghanche and Shigar districts have also caused considerable damage.

Earlier, the Juglot-Skardu Road was blocked after landslides in the Roundu area. Heavy floods in nullahs at Duro Kariko of Skardu damaged thousands of trees, cultivated land and crops.

Residents have urged the government to immediately provide financial relief as they depend on agriculture for their livelihood.

Amir Azam Hamza, the deputy commissioner of Ghanche, said floods had damaged crops and trees and blocked many roads in the district. He said the administration was working to restore traffic using heavy machinery.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2023