KKH submerged between Ghulkin and Gulmit
Images: Aslam Shah for Pamir Times
Gulmit, May 12: A portion of the Karakuram Highway went under the lake water near an orchard between Gulmit and Ghulkin. Organic destruction of the KKH has grave implications not only for the local communities but also for the Sino – Pak trade.
Over 20 kilometers of the KKH have so far been caused to submerge by the lake water, including a 250 meter long strategic bridge.
Destruction of roads is bound to spell an era of isolation in the region that has economic, social and psychological impact in the long run.
Submergence of this portion of KKH has resulted in disconnection of Gulmit from rest of the Gojal valley. One jeepable, unpaved route, between Gulmit and Ghulkin exists through Kamaris along with a pony track road that needs to be repaired.
This natural disaster is turning into a economic disaster.
If the dam breaches,then there will be massive flood wave which could cause lot of damage downstream and with raid water flow there can be other landsliding both upstream and downstream.
If the dam does not breach and water overflows,then we have another problem: KKH will remain submerged as water level of lake will be around 200 plus feet (depending on how much erosion of barrier takes place)
These are serious issues and require serious thinking and serious solutions.
This landslide is now becoming a national disaster of a very big kind if KKH is blocked.
Please seek International advice and assistance to work towards a resolution of these problems. Please request FOCUS to bring more international experts.Please this is serious problems.
I once again request all to fully cooperate with the local government and FOCUS.
We pray to Allah for His protection.Ameen.
please show images where the water has reached?/////
Still I m surprised by the attitude of this …..Govt. towards the counter measures, since 24 Jan 10 till now only three …… excavators are working.Are the whole FWO / NMD are damn fools, 900 m stretch of debris, almost 90 feet of depth making a qunatity of 150,000 CUM debris and engaged only three excavators.??? Still if they increased the number of dozers and excavators, further submerging of settled area can be avoided.
I M NOT SURPRISED THAT PPP NEVER TAKE INTREST IN THE WELFARE OF THE GILGIT BALTISTAN THEY HAVE THEIR OWN INTEREST, BECAUSE SHISHKAT HAD NO VOTE FOR PPP AND THEY TOOK REVENGE OF THE VOTE BUT NOW GOD FOR BIT IF THERE WILL A HUGE DISASTER BY BREAKING THE LAKE THEN PPP GOVT WILL REALISE THAT WHAT THEY TOOK A WRONG DISSION BY NOT GIVING THE CONTRACT TO CHINESE TO RELEASE THE THE WATER