Cracks in mountain worries Attabad people
By: Zulfiqar Ali Khan
HUNZA-NAGAR, March 6: People in Attabad village in Hunza have been struck by panic as the mountain beside the settlement is shearing off, with wide cracks developing fast.
The villagers said boulders and debris rolling down the slope could block the water flow in Hunza River, causing the danger of floods that would threaten the village.
Such a situation could also destroy the communication infra structure, as raging torrents could wash away a large portion of the Karakoram Highway.
Experts have suggested relocation of the village to some alternative area, as living in such a hazard-prone environment could result in disaster anytime.
Atabad Union Council Member Hadi Hussain has threatened to observe hunger strike in front of the office of Assistant Commissioner Hunza, if immediate action was not taken to save the villagers.
According to him, minor cracks first appeared in February 2003, which became larger with the passage of time. He accused the local administration of not responding accordingly to save the life and livelihood of about a hundred households that are at great risk. Mr Hussain said the cracks had also extensively damaged dozens of houses, around 25 of which were in great danger.
The Northern Areas chief secretary had once announced to settle the villagers at an alternative place, but the commitment was yet to materialise, he added.
Hunza’s acting assistant commissioner Amir Khan, Gilgit District Council member Jan Alam, Progressive Youth Front chief organiser Baba Jan along with youth activists visited the site to evaluate the situation.
Mr Alam asked the Northern Areas administration and the Pakistan government to immediately relocate the village to some safer area.
Mr Jan warned that the government and the administration would be held responsible for any disaster situation.
However, Amir Khan assured the villagers that the situation would be taken up with higher officials in order to ensure immediate action. Also at Dawn
Really!
This is a very serious issue, that needs to be looked into on priority basis. The Gelogical Survey of Pakistan (GSP) working under the Ministry of Petrolium and Natural Resorces is primary responsible for the initial assessme, through their experts/Geologists. The Islamabad office of GSP has specifically been set up to deal with Northern Areas. But obviously they will go there only if the local/N.As administration brings the issue into their notice.
The Local/District Government should take up this issue Federal Government, as There is already a project going on in the earthquake affected areas of AJK and NWFP, where Geological Survey of Pakistan identifies such hazardous areas, (cracks, rockfalling and or floods etc). and the residents are then resettled to safer areas, with government providing them alternate lands for reconstruction of houses. This practice if taken in advance would save the residents from a possible catastrophe.
Junaid
ba adab k sath me nacheaz yaqoob aap se iiltamaz krta hun k aap apni site me sirf Gojal Valley ka zikar karen to behtar hoga ….
yea baikar k News mat diya karen .or suna hai app lagun ne DYM naami Tanzim ka aghaaz kiya haito meri teraf se is cheaz ka zikar lazmi krna jamalabad me murguen me bird flu aiya hai..is ka zara notice ligeya ga..
yaqoob ali Shah Gojali
Adamjee Insurance…
well it turned out to be true .Good job pamirtimes it was an accurate info