GILGIT, June 22: Alarming increase in water level in Gilgit River due to snow melt has flooded several hamlets along the river. A bridge on Gilgit road at Gupis point of Ghizer was also washed away, blocking the road.

Officials said sizzling heat over the past few days has caused fast melting of snow at glaciers, triggering floods in the Gilgit River, forcing the authorities to ban even walk on the roads close to the river. The traffic between Gahkuch and Yasin has been diverted to old traditional route.

Home department has instructed the district administration to remain vigilant while GB disaster management authority has also geared up to tackle the situation arising out of the floods.

HELP FOR POOR: The Gilgit-Baltistan government has released Rs60 million to be distributed among the poor and needy people of the region.

“We have released the funds to the chairmen of zakat in all seven districts of the region who would task the chairmen of the zakat committees in villages for distribution among the poor,” informed Burhan Afandi, administrator of zakat distribution in Gilgit-Baltistan, while talking to Dawn.

Mr Burhan said transparency would be ensured in distribution of zakat funds, adding distribution will be made through cross cheques to avoid any wrongdoing. He maintained that the beneficiaries will have the amount deposited in their bank accounts.

GB BUDGET: The budget session which was earlier scheduled to be held on June 21 would now be held on June 25 in which Rs18.77 billion budget will be presented.

Finance Minister Mohammad Ali Akhtar told Dawn that the budget was ready for presentation on the scheduled date but due to some unavoidable circumstances it was deferred to June 25

He disclosed that Rs7.77 billion would be set aside for development projects while Rs11 billion would be allocated for non-development purposes.—Correspondent