Daily Times

GHIZER: An artificial lake has emerged on Thursday in Ishkoman valley of Ghizer district, of Gilgit-Baltistan, after a small glacier melted into Barsuwat Nullah.

The Ishkoman valley is situated near Pakistan-Afghanistan border and lies at a distance of 60km from Gahkuch, the district headquarters of Ghizer district.

The newly emerged lake blocked the flow of Immit River and more than 30 houses, cultivated land and cattle farms were submerged.

Many vehicles and cattle washed away in the artificial lake, moreover, many locals are reportedly trapped in different areas.

As the landslide continued many land routes, that connect the valley to the upper part of the Immit, have been blocked.

A press release, issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), read that a team of administration officials along with GBDMA staff has reached the location of the river blockade.

It further stated, “Tents for the displaced families have been sent to Barsuwat and a medical team with medicines has been directed to reach the Bilhanz dispensary. Food has been sent for the stranded people.”

January 4, 2010, at least 20 people died in a landslide which blocked the Hunza River and formed the Attabad lake. The lake then gradually expanded to 23 kilometers upstream and submerged four villages named Ainabad, Shishkat, G, lmit and Gulkin.