Daily Times

SKARDU: A glacier moving towards the Arandu village in Shigar district, Gilgit Baltistan has caused 14 families to move down to another village.

According to media reports, a G-B Legislative Assembly member said that many houses and animals of the locals had come under the glacier.

However, authorities have been unable to gauge whether the animals and houses were buried under the glacier or an avalanche triggered by heavy snowfall in the neighbourhood of Arandu village.

Baltistan Division Commissioner Asim Ayub told media that a 10-member rescue team consisting of police and volunteers has left for Shigar. He added that because routes to the area have been blocked, the rescue teams will have to walk to the village and will reach the area in two to three days.

Local authorities have requested the army to provide helicopters for rescue work. Moreover, the administrations of all the four districts of Baltistan have been put on high alert.