Hunza Valley Villagers Battling Glacial Melting and Rising Floods Demand Urgent Government Intervention

Villagers in Hunza Valley, PoGB, face imminent threats from glacial melting and river overflow, leading to widespread destruction. Residents criticize the lack of governmental action and demand immediate relief as homes and livelihoods are at risk.

Villagers in parts of Hunza Valley in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB) are grappling with an imminent threat of land destruction as rapid glacial melting and the overflowing Hunza River wreak havoc on their homes. The lack of action from local authorities has left residents in distress as flash floods increasingly destroy households and livelihoods.

Residents are expressing growing concern over continuous land erosion, with overflowing rivers posing a survival threat. They lament that the administration has yet to take measures to mitigate the effects of climate change. The expanding rivers have destroyed homes, farms, and vital infrastructure.

Villagers are demanding compensation for their losses. Rehan Shah, a Hunza Valley resident, expressed sorrow over the ongoing destruction, stating, "Our area has been continuously destroyed for at least the last four years. No government representative has visited our villages to see how we are surviving. Several families have lost everything they owned."

Shah highlighted the issue of low-budget allotment for disaster control, saying, "The disaster management authority in Hunza is merely given PKR six lakh, which cannot fulfill our needs in these scenarios. 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. No government authority has come to resolve our issues. We request immediate help." Ali emphasized that despite several pleas, the lack of governmental intervention continues to render these communities vulnerable to the devastating effects of climate change.

As the crisis worsens, residents fear 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.

(With inputs from agencies.)