Hunza Valley Villagers Face Destruction Due to Melting Glaciers and Floods
Villagers in parts of Hunza Valley in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan are facing an imminent threat of land destruction. Their homes have been destroyed due to the rapid melting of glaciers and the overflowing Hunza River.
The lack of action from local authorities has left residents in distress as they experience flash floods that have destroyed many households and livelihoods. The residents are increasingly concerned about continuous land erosion and the survival threat posed by the overflowing rivers.
Rehan Shah, a resident of Hunza Valley, expressed sorrow over the destruction, stating, “Our area has been continuously destroyed for at least the last four years. No one representing the government came to our villages to see how we are surviving. Several of our brethren and their families are now left to cry as everything that they owned has drowned.”
Shah also highlighted the issue of low-budget allotment for disaster control in these areas. He said, “The disaster management authority in Hunza is merely given PKR six lakh, which cannot fulfill our needs in these scenarios. Can they by any chance give back the belongings these people have lost due to these floods? They promised to send machinery and engineers for our rescue, but we still await them.”
Another resident, Muhammad Ali, said, “There are no arrangements here. There is no connectivity right now. Our belongings, livestock, and other property are all damaged. We are stuck here. No government authority has come to resolve our issues. We request immediate help.”
Ali stressed that despite several pleas made by the villagers, the lack of governmental intervention continues to leave these communities vulnerable to the devastating effects of climate change. “As the crisis worsens, residents fear that their homes and livelihoods may soon be completely wiped out, with no relief in sight. The urgent need for government action to protect these at-risk areas cannot be overstated,” he added.
Doubts Revealed
Hunza Valley -: Hunza Valley is a beautiful mountainous region in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan, known for its stunning landscapes and glaciers.
Melting Glaciers -: Glaciers are large masses of ice. When they melt due to rising temperatures, they can cause floods and other problems.
Floods -: Floods happen when there is too much water, often from heavy rain or melting ice, and it overflows onto land, causing damage.
Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan -: This is a region in the northern part of Pakistan, which is known for its high mountains and glaciers.
Hunza River -: The Hunza River flows through the Hunza Valley and can overflow when glaciers melt, causing floods.
Rehan Shah and Muhammad Ali -: These are names of people living in Hunza Valley who are worried about the floods and melting glaciers.
Government action -: This means the steps or help that the government should provide to solve problems like floods.
Disaster management funds -: Money set aside by the government to help people during emergencies like floods or earthquakes.
Compensation -: Money or help given to people who have lost their homes or things due to disasters.
