Pakistan

PM Shehbaz Sharif orders emergency steps to deal with Hunza glacial flooding

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

PM Shehbaz Sharif directs authorities concerned to ensure safe transfer of people from flood-affected areas.
Seeks report regarding damages and affectees of glacial flooding.
Orders putting up alternative road due to destruction of the Hassanabad bridge.

LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday ordered the authorities concerned to take emergency steps to deal with the situation created after the flooding in the lake formed above Shisper Glacier, Hunza.

A massive glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) occurred in Hunza district’s Hassanabad village Saturday, sweeping away the Hassanabad bridge on the Karakoram Highway.

The flood disrupted the drinking and agricultural water system and affected two powerhouses together with the collapse of the Hassanabad bridge. As a result, one part of Shahrah-e-Karakoram has also been affected.

PM Shehbaz Sharif directed the authorities concerned to ensure the safe transfer of people from the flood-affected areas. He also told the federal agencies to fully assist the Gilgil Baltistan government with the supply and provision of food, medicines, and other necessities to the affectees.

The prime minister also sought a report regarding the damages as well as a list of affectees of glacial flooding and ordered the construction of a temporary bridge for people to commute after the destruction of the Hassanabad bridge on the Karakoram Highway.

Moreover, PM Shehbaz also instructed the authorities to prepare an estimate of the damages suffered by the irrigation and drinking water system and powerhouses and directed them to restore the powerhouses of 700 and 250 megawatts on a war footing basis.

He announced that the government will bear the expenses of restoring and repairing the powerhouses

PM Shehbaz expressed sympathy to the affected families over their losses and ordered the provision of immediate assistance.

Glacial lake flooding leaves Hunza, Gilgit disconnected

The Shisper Glacier started discharging 5,000 cusecs of water owing to premature melting, leaving Hunza and Gilgit disconnected.

The flow of water, however, was reduced by Sunday morning, Hunza Deputy Commissioner Usman Ali said.

The official said that a temporary bridge will be built after the water completely drains out of the lake.

Speaking about the damages caused by the flooding, Ali said that a jamaat khana was partially damaged while the drinking and agricultural water system has been destroyed.

He further stated that 22 houses have been vacated and small vehicles are transported through Sharah e Nagar.

Meanwhile, Adviser to Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira spoke to the Gilgit-Baltistan chief secretary over the telephone. The GB chief secretary briefed Kaira on the Hassanabad bridge collapse in Hunza.

Kaira issued directives to make all necessary arrangements and said that steps should be taken on a priority basis to restore land connectivity and routine life in the surrounding areas.

Latest News

Rainfall throughout the night stops flights in Lahore.

Published

18 hours ago

Farwa

Allama Iqbal International Airport experienced many hours of flight disruption due to the intense rainfall and windstorms that occurred overnight in Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab.

Aviation sources claim that because of the monsoon weather, the flight operation was unable to operate between 3 and 4 am.

It is possible that the planes will arrive at the airport at 4 am.

Amidst delays in foreign airline flights, three aircraft made landings in Multan and Peshawar.

Riyadh flights arrived in Peshawar Airport, while flights scheduled to land in Lahore in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain ended up landing in Multan Airport.

Seven hours later than scheduled, the Qatar Airways flight from Doha arrived in Lahore.

Because of the bad weather, there are delays in the arrival and departure of numerous international planes.

Latest News

Changes to Pakistan’s Test team could be significant for the Bangladesh series.

Published

18 hours ago

Farwa

Major changes to Pakistan’s team are anticipated ahead of the forthcoming Test series against Bangladesh, sources in Lahore have revealed.

As the team gets ready for the series, meetings with the players are planned for next week.

It is predicted that the Test squad would undergo several changes. The team’s lineup is expected to be strengthened by the likely inclusion of Muhammad Huraira. Key players like Faheem Ashraf, Wasim Jr., Saim Ayub, and Nauman Ali, whose contributions are vital to the team’s success, struggle to get a spot on the squad.

Furthermore, according to sources, Imamul Haq or Sahibzada Farhan are anticipated to be added to the team, subject to additional assessment. Furthermore, following a fitness assessment, Amir Jamal and Hasan Ali’s futures will be determined.

The ultimate selection for the Test team will take place following Red Ball head coach Jason Gillespie’s return to Pakistan. The ultimate squad that will play Bangladesh in the forthcoming Test series will be greatly influenced by his assessments and thoughts.

Pakistan is scheduled to visit New Zealand in March and April of 2025, according to the country’s official cricket schedule, which was released earlier this month.

Throughout their visit, the Pakistan cricket team will play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in an exciting series.

The T20I series, which starts at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on March 16, will serve as the tour’s opening event.

Latest News

PM Meets With KP Lawmakers: Promises Progression and Relief Efforts in Province

Published

18 hours ago

Farwa

Khyber Pakhtunkhawa lawmakers are given assurances by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the province’s development, namely in the amalgamated districts, with a particular emphasis on the provision of standard health and educational facilities.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa National and Provincial Assembly members paid a visit to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at PM House.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister stated that the PML-N Government has always given priority to the development of the combined districts.

The prime minister promised that the combined Districts would have standard health and educational facilities, and that Danish Schools would be established nearby to offer local pupils an education of the highest caliber possible.

The PM also underlined the importance of promoting solar energy, combating electricity theft, and helping the middle class and impoverished.

He said that in order to boost the agriculture sector’s growth, expand the amount of land under cultivation, and reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign fuel imports, the government was converting agricultural tubewells to solar energy nationwide.

According to PM Shehbaz Sharif, the government recently provided significant reduction from electricity rates for those with low and moderate incomes.

At the event, he also announced the creation of a committee headed by the deputy prime minister, whose goal will be to identify long-term solutions to the issues facing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s elected officials.

He argued that in order to preserve the nation from going into default, the current government had to make difficult political choices in order to revitalize the economy.

The parliamentarians gave Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif high marks for his visionary leadership in transforming Pakistan’s economy.