Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed that emergency measures be put in place to counter the damage caused by a glacial lake outburst flood from the Shisper Glacier in Hunza.
The order came following the destruction of Hassanabad Bridge on the Karakoram Highway in Hunza, which resulted from a flood caused by a glacial lake outburst.
Local media reported that the event also resulted in houses, agricultural land, trees, water supply channels and two hydropower plants. Access between central and upper Hunza has been cut off.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the premier directed authorities to ensure that lives and property of people be protected and they be evacuated to safer places.
The prime minister also ordered relief teams to deliver emergency items to the affectees and has also told officials to prepare an alternate route.
Moreover, teams have been directed to determine the cost of losses while rehabilitation of the two power plants has also been ordered.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also directed the federal agencies to provide support to the government of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Local media citing Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad said that the flood waters of the glacier that had burst was estimated at 8,000 cusecs at the time of the incident.
He added that the incident had damaged the bridge, the Karakoram water supply and also the underground cable network.
Furthermore, local media citing National Highway Authority General Manager Mehboob Wali said that an iron bridge had been planned which would be completed in the next two to three weeks, while a concrete bridge would take six to seven months.
