At least seven volunteers died and six were injured early on Monday when a landslide hit people who work in a water channel in the city of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Danyor, rescue officials said.
The devastating impacts of climate change and melting glaciers have become more visible in GB, which has faced heavy rains since the end of June.
The situation got worse when mortal floods extended through the Babusar area on July 21, causing landslides and harmful infrastructure. Until now, 10 deaths have been confirmed throughout the region, with a dozen missing tourists.
Thirteen volunteers, mainly young, tried to restore the water supply on the main water channel from Danyor Nullah to the city of Danyor, which had been damaged due to recent floods, when the landslide arrived at 2 am at 2 of today.
“Thirteen volunteers who restored the water supply were buried under the rubble,” said Gilgit 1122 rescue in a statement.
Deciding the victims, he said that the injured were taken to a hospital. The emergency officer of the District (Operations) Abdul Basit was present at the site to supervise the restoration, added the 1122 rescue.
Muhammad Akbar, one of the residents who participated in rescue operations, said Dawn.com that the bodies and injured had been transferred to “several hospitals in Gilgit and Danyor.”
On July 22, a sudden flood in the residential communities flooded with Danyor Nullah and damaged crops and irrigation channels. The flood also damaged the link roads and suspension bridges, reducing road links to the affected areas.
Hussain Akbar Shah, another place, said that thousands of Danyor residents faced a shortage of drinking water and irrigation water, since the valley depended on Nullah’s water.
A statement from the GB Faizullah Faraq government spokesman declared that the total number of volunteers was 15, of which seven were confirmed dead.
An emergency has been declared in Gilgit hospitals, the spokesman added. “Our hearts are saddened by this unfortunate accident. Gilgit is in a state of mourning,” said Faraq.
Residents protest against the ‘inaction’ government
Funeral prayers were later performed for volunteers who died in the incident. The residents also protested in Danyor Chowk against the incident, holding his government.
Speaking to journalists, the elderly of the area led by former GB Minister Muhammad Iqbal, said the government had not been able to restore the interrupted water supply despite the repeated guarantees.
The elders pointed out that although the residents had managed to temporarily restore the pipe, the subsequent floods destroyed it again, while the government had not begun to work on it. The protesters demanded that the government take measures, or launch protests.
GB Prime Minister Haji Gulbar Khan expressed his condolences about the incident and announced compensation for the afflicted families.
“The families of those who died at Danyor Nullah [incident] He will receive compensation according to government policy, ”said CM Gulbar, directing that the injured will receive the best medical treatment.
