News
Monday, May 24, 2010
High alert declared in Hunza Nagar* Authorities prohibit entry into 32 vacated villages
* Gap between spillway and water level in the lake narrows to 6ftISLAMABAD: High alert was declared in Hunza, as the authorities prohibited entry to the area’s vacated villages on Sunday, in view of the imminent threat of a flood from bursting of the landslide-triggered lake.
The situation has become more alarming as the gap between the spillway and the water level in the lake has narrowed to six feet. The inflow at the lake is 2,600 cusecs while the outflow is 200 cusecs, as the lake has spread over 26 kilometres, a private news channel reported.
The administration has set May 25 as the deadline for overflowing of water from the lake.
According to the Hunza deputy commissioner, entry to the 32 vacated villages in Hunza Nagar and Gilgit during the night has already been banned, while the ban will be imposed any time on daytime travelling as well, he added.
The district commissioner said, “We have warned the people and issued clear instructions to them. If someone goes to those areas, he would be responsible for the loss.”
Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah on Sunday said all arrangements to meet the challenge of the Ataabad lake were ready. Talking to PTV, he said Gilgit had been divided into two sectors and every possible facility would be provided to the people affected.
Mehdi said the administration was ready to face any unpleasant situation, adding that arrangements at the camps set up at various locations for the affected people of the Ataabad lake have been finalised. The CM said assessments for compensations to these people are also being made and the process would be completed soon.
Meanwhile, the UN World Food Programme has started transporting relief supplies for the people of Hunza, after an urgent request by the Pakistan Red Crescent Society and the National Disaster Management Authority. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk