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| Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghizer district, a glacier burst triggered chaos on a quiet Friday morning |
When Ice Breaks: Ghizer’s Glacier Burst and the Fragile Lives Below
GILGIT: An official assessment has confirmed extensive damage in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghizer district, where a glacier burst and landslide destroyed over 300 houses and several shops, leaving hundreds of families displaced.
In the high mountain realms of Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghizer district, a glacier burst triggered chaos on a quiet Friday morning. As if nature decided to shift the ground beneath hundreds of homes, a sudden landslide and glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) carved a path of destruction across remote villages. Less than a day later, official reports confirmed—over 300 houses and several shops were devastated, but miraculously, not a single life was lost.
The drama began early, when melting ice and unstable slopes sent a wave of mud and debris crashing into the Ghizer River. A natural dam formed, stretching over seven kilometres, which led to an abrupt surge of water and the creation of a temporary but dangerous artificial lake in areas like Tildas, Rawshan, Miduri, Mulaabad, Hawks Thangi, and Goth villages. The floodwaters swallowed farmland, roads, and homes, displacing families and inflicting heavy financial losses. Yet, the river found a relief route—spilling over a natural spillway and slowly easing the threat of further catastrophe. The harsh reminder remains—climate pressures are reshaping mountain life.
Shepherd’s Warning, Helicopters, and a Community Uprooted
Lost in the chaos might have been human lives, were it not for a local shepherd who noticed abnormal mud flows and, using his phone, alerted neighbors and authorities. His instincts and swift communication allowed more than 200 people across scattered households to evacuate before the worst unfolded. They were later airlifted by Rescue 1122 and Pakistan Army helicopters to safer grounds. It was a rescue as much born of technology as it was of the profound courage of a shepherd.
In this rugged terrain where roads give way to riverbanks, and valleys quiet to flash floods, that mobile phone message changed the fate of entire communities. Homes were lost, yes—80% of Raushan village was washed away—but the cost was measured in loss of property, not lives. The regional authorities, including ADC Gupis Yasin and the Ghizer district administration, soon issued urgent calls for tents, food, and relief supplies for hundreds displaced. Administrators confirmed that the declining water level in the artificial lake has eased fears of further flooding and erosion.
Climate Context: Glacier Burst Isn’t the First—and It Won’t Be the Last
This sudden disaster marks at least the fourth GLOF to strike northern Pakistan this season, and it echoes back to the catastrophic floods of 2022. That calamity—sparked by monsoon rains, glacier melt, and poor preparedness—claimed over 1,700 lives and caused tens of billions in damages, a warning of the vulnerability embedded in the land.
Just last month, seven volunteers died in Danyor while repairing flood damage from a previous glacial outburst—an event that also disrupted the Karakoram Highway, a critical artery with China. It’s the physical and emotional toll of living in a high-altitude region now feeling the full force of climate change. Meteorological data confirms that rainfall this year was 10-15% heavier in these areas, and nearly 10,000 glaciers are retreating—turning mountains of ice into time bombs.
In Ghizer Valley—a maze of high passes, lush valleys, and fragile ecosystems—nature’s rhythm is no longer predictable. The Ghizer River, ancestors of the Yasin and Gupis valleys, has become both lifeline and threat. Locals, who speak Khowar and live in houses built for peace, now face sudden upheaval. Yet amid mud and water, community spirit and rapid rescue remind us that empathy remains resilient.
Aftermath and Outlook: Rebuilding in the Wake of Crisis
As floodwaters recede, they reveal flattened homes, ruined farmland, and shattered livelihoods. But they also reveal a capacity to overcome. Villagers, officials, and volunteers are already rallying. Relief camps are being set up for displaced families, and essential supplies are being distributed. Roads are being cleared, and hopes are being whispered into the valley air again. Yet, officials cautioned that while the immediate danger has eased, the natural dam remains fragile—and downstream districts like Gilgit, Astore, and Diamer remain on high alert.
This region has weathered this before—but more than ever, communities need greater resilience. Early warning systems, better infrastructure, community training, and strengthened response networks can't just be relief—they need to be routine. When a shepherd’s voice can save lives, it’s a measure of the human spirit; but we cannot rely solely on heroes. Institutional readiness is as essential as bravery.