CHITRAL: An ongoing landslide in Yurjogh Village, part of the Injigan Valley in the remote Lot Koh area, has turned into a humanitarian crisis, leaving 15 families of the 54-household community homeless.
The natural disaster, attributed to persistent water seepage from an irrigation channel, has rendered numerous homes uninhabitable.
Residents’ report that the land has been fast sliding for the past year, with conditions worsening recently and with each passing day, while the number of affected houses is increasing.
A technical report by the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) has warned that a major accident could occur at any time, emphasising the precarious situation being faced by the villagers.
The primary cause has been identified as a hydrogeological issue, stemming from an irrigation channel located above the village, irrigating the villages of Xitur Bala and Payeen as well its lower parts.
The continuous saturation of the soil due to water seepage has affected the soil’s stability and moisture holding capacity, making the steep slopes highly vulnerable to collapse.
Nusrat Elahi, the president of the Lotkuh Development Forum (LDF), stated that the villagers foresee terrible future due to the continued process of landsliding, leading to their forced migration to a safer place.
He further warned that the temperatures in November nights dropped below freezing point, which posed a significant health risk to infants, women and the elderly in these temporary shelters.
The LDF chief has stressed the urgent need for providing safe alternate accommodation and a permanent solution to the hydrogeological problem, a proper drainage systems to prevent further displacement and potential casualties.
The villagers said that the process of landslides has also adversely affected the produce of cereal crops, vegetables and fruits during the last two years, as the village is known for its apricot and red apples as well as potatoes, which brought no cash to the farmers this year.
The regional programme manager of AKAH, Wali Muhammad Yaftali, told Dawn that his organisation had established a tent village there for the affected families, while more facilities were being provided on a need basis.
Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2025
