Shisper glacier lake outburst triggers devastating flood in Hunza

(Web Desk): A devastating flood caused by the outburst of a lake formed by the Shisper Glacier in Hunza has damaged critical infrastructure and put dozens of homes at serious risk.

The glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) from the Shisper Glacier triggered severe flooding in the Hassanabad stream in Hunza, damaging infrastructure and threatening homes located at the base of several mountains in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.

According to officials, the intense flooding damaged protective walls along the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and destroyed agricultural land. Erosion caused by the swollen stream poses a continued threat to homes in future events.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) reported that the flood damaged a recently constructed protective wall and a section of the Karakoram Highway. Although the highway remains open for all types of traffic, the affected section has been closed as a safety measure.

The authority added that a significant portion of cultivable land, standing crops, and trees were washed away. Additionally, the power supply to Hassanabad was disrupted, and property belonging to the Forest Department as well as a portion of land adjacent to a bridge owned by the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) was affected.

Local residents reported that four houses located downstream were intentionally demolished in time to protect them from flood damage. Just last month, a similar glacial lake outburst had damaged four homes, agricultural land, trees, and both public and private property.

The authority has requested the National Highway Authority (NHA) to immediately assess the affected section of the road and inspect other vulnerable areas.

Members of the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management Committee, GBDMA staff, and other volunteers are present on-site to monitor the situation and assist local residents with preparedness and response efforts.

Meanwhile, the road from Gilgit to Shandur remains closed for the seventh consecutive day at Khotom village in the Phander Valley, leaving thousands stranded in the area.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a warning, forecasting heavy rain on Thursday afternoon in Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, urging citizens to exercise caution.