[Featured Report] Devastation and responses to havoc inflicted by floods

RDs Time Flood special
By: Shamsuddin Muhammad

HUNZA, August: Torrential rains followed by flesh floods wreck havoc and inflicted property loss in different localities in Hunza subdivision. Nevertheless, except Guro, Joghlot in Nagar sub-division remained safe from any destruction in the wake of flooding during moon soon cycle that hit the whole country simultaneously. The floods not only cut off supply line from Gilgit and down cities but also reduced inter vicinity movement of public. Elders, employees, business men, students all affected by the continuous as scarcity of petroleum products coupled with ruined roads made hampered transportation. According to the details retained recently, floods have destroyed residential houses as well as cattle huts in Khanaabad and Hussainabad in Lower, orchards around Hyderabad nallahs, Giram area in Altit in Central and Khyber, Qalamdarchi and Chiperson in Upper HUNZA.
Local volunteers continued to facilitate public through self based efforts to get them out of troubles and help in moment by constructing makeshift bridges for temporary use.
Fortunately, devastation remained comparatively low as the locals on self help basis made disaster prevention measures. Yet, the situation in some of the areas of Ghizer and Baltistan went from bad to worse as regional disaster management authority despite being in its mandate could hardly response to such disaster.
The situation in down cities of Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa, Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh remained disappointing. That scenario posed country to a new kind of crisis for politically fragile democratic government with having little expreriance to deal with such natural disaster in its 62 years history invited army to help manage the situation. Following pictures portrays the situation prevailed during recent flooding with heavy rain pour.

HUNZA: [Left] Students use a small wooden block to cross the flooding water at Hyderabad huge moment of masses Nallah (Locally called Herr). [ Right] A single wooden block only sustaining the load of mass moment across

Hunza: [Left] Flood wrecked havoc in various areas and inundated roads. [Right] A school going student struggles to come out of debris of flood during 3 -week heavy monsoon rains. RDs Time Photo

HUNZA: (Left) Local volunteers trying to clear the flooded only link road used albeit to KKH connecting Aliabad, Karimabad, Altit and Ganish; (Middle) Vehicls stuck into mud; (Right) Locals daring to cross flood water at Hyderabad Nallah (Har). RDsT Photo

Implications of Attaabad disaster appearing- chilled weather halts Damson, Cherrys growth

RDs Time Report

HUNZA,July 09: The implications of the Attaabad disaster tends to appear gradually in Central Hunza too as the chilling cold weather in July, a comparatively hotter month in summer season has turned Damsons and French marked Cherry's in various parts of Central Hunza like Ahmedabad, Aminabad,Altit, Hyderabad and Hasanabad.

Some people argue that due to the blockade of the water on Hunza river at Attaabad bottleneck has not only made hostage to Gojal, Upper Hunza, its implications can been observed in plants too. Damsons and Cherry are seasonal fruits making a sizable contribution to the economy of agri-based major population.

Altit bridge expansion work goes slow

RDs Time Report

HUNZA, Altit, July 8: The expansion work over Altit bridge is slow than was expected by the public. According to the details, the work over expansion of the bridge joining Altit with Mominabad is being suffered of slow pace of work.

HUNZA, Altit: The expansion work of Altit-Mominabad bridge going on compratively slow. RDs Time Image

The bridge over only truckable road to this main town in Central Hunza was partially carpeted and rest of the dilapidated road is covered with stony cross sections and ditches. Public circles have demanded of the representatives to direct concerned department to complete the co-project in time without delay.

Water level in lake decreasing; all departments round the clock: Z.F.Taj

RDs Time Report

HUNZA, Karimabad, July 03: Contrary to the figures of the measurement by FOCUS, GNPWD, NESPak who reported still chances of surge in water level since spill over had claimed that water level recding since last week following the controlled dynamite blasting in boulders resisting flow of water over spill way. Talking to Readers Time, here at Karimabad Zafar Waqar Taj, deputy commissioner Gilgit-Baltistan said that all departments were red alert and monitoring the situation closely. He said that essentials like food and other relief items were supplied to the all Internally Displaced Persons in the temporary camps in Altit and Karimabad.He rejected the agitation from various circles of mishandling and mismanagement on part of local administration saying such were the propaganda of certain political elements. He said that efforts by certain elements to defame government's contribution in relief work would not work.
On the other hand, public circles in Gojal have condemned Home secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Asif Bilal Lodhi's statement in which he vowed to take legal action against those involved in opening of spill way by registering First Investigation Report in Gojal. They said, disaster hit people after disappointing from government's strategy to widen spill way have volunteerism initiated their own to escape further destruction. They have demanded of government to make efforts to widen the width by more controlled blasting on spill way.

Environment day celebrations-IDPs of Salmanabad arranged envrironment protection walk

RDs Time Report

HUNZA, June 08: World community observed envirnment day on Saturday,fifth June, 2010 with zeal as usual. Internally displaced Persons (IDPs) of Salmanabad, who have been accommodated at Girls Inter College, Karimabad, Hunza arranged a special walk to mark the day. Students, teachers holding playcards marched from the Karimabad, temporary relief camp to Khurukushal, Hyderabad and to Aga Khan Academy, Baltit to give people environment friendly messages.

HUNZA, Hyderabad, Khurukushal: Participants of the environment protection walk passing througha a street. Photo by: Shams


HUNZA, Karimabad: a banner hanged by Town Management Society (TMS), Karimabad on environment day

Similarly, Town Management Society (TMS), Karimabad also arranged a walk that finally assembled into a formal function at famous Pologround Karimabad. Participants holding beners bearing environment protection appeals marched along civil society members, Ismaili gents and lady volunteers, boys scouts of Karimabad and Altit jurisdiction.
Despite of numerous hurdles of Internally displaced Persons of Salmanabad at temporary relief camps, such activities will serve to give a positive message to every one of us to realize the responsiblity to care about environment.

Aavalanche hits Karimabad and Altit, fog and icy winds engulfed area for half an hour

RDs Times Report

HUNZA,Karimabad, Feb.25: A huge avalanche sliding from Ultar peak hit Karimabad and Altit village at 9:00 A.M, engulfed area for half an hour.

According to the details, suddenly fog and icy wind appeared above Baltit Fort soon cover major portion of Karimabad and Altit. Consequently, the area on both side of Ultar Nalah or Harchi indigenously called received light snow fall. Nevertheless, no loss of property or life has been reported.
According to local myth, breaking of ice from high rise glaciers begets good future and hinder evil forces like poverty and diseases.