Villagers shifting to safe places

HUNZA, May 14: Inmates of about 38 houses of lower Gulmit have started shifting to upper parts of the village to avoid hardships by the flood advancing from Hunza lake.

Hundreds of volunteers from far-flung areas of the tehsil are helping the people in shifting in the absence of any government support.

Meanwhile, the lake’s water has also submerged the Karakoram Highway at three points in lower Ghulkin and Hussain and three small bridges.

After Ayeenabad, Shishkat and Gulmit villages, Ghulkin village has also been submerged. About five houses in Shishkat also came under water increasing the number to 90.

The water inflow in the lake on Friday remained at 70.75 cubic meters per second, while seepage was recorded at 2.53 cubic meters per second.

Meanwhile, the authorities concerned failed to open the Karakoram Highway near Murtazabad Hunza for traffic even after 48 hours of the blockade of the road. Hundreds of trucks and other vehicles are stuck on both sides of the road.

Local people have blamed the authorities for inaction at time when the whole Hunza-Nagar district is facing threat of flood from the lake’s water.

And to the disappointment of the local people, visit of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to the affected areas was canceled at the last moment despite all necessary arrangements for it were in place.

Mediapersons earlier protested against the administration for refusing to issue passes to them for the coverage of Mr Gilani’s visit. DAWN