ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has told Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that the foreign tourists in Gilgit-Baltistan’s flood-hit Astore district are safe and have been moved away from the affected zones.
Following the Prime Minister’s directive to prioritise the safety of both tourists and locals, the NDMA acted swiftly to address the situation.In its report to the Prime Minister, the NDMA confirmed that immediate measures were taken to secure the foreign tourists.
The report detailed that two Italian and one Argentinian tourist are currently in a safe location, well away from the flood-affected area.Additionally, efforts are ongoing to expedite the restoration of Feena Bridge, which was impacted by the floods.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had earlier issued a warning about anticipated heavy rainfall and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) affecting multiple districts in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Meanwhile, speedy melting of glaciers caused by heatwave and intermittent rains in different areas of Gilgit-Baltistan triggered flash floods in streams, nullahs and rivers, sweeping away a wooden bridge, damaging another, blocking roads and stranding local and foreign tourists in different areas of the region.
Flash floods also damaged crops, agriculture land, uprooted trees and disconnected several villages from other GB areas.Officials of the local administration said a flash flood swept away a wooden bridge linking Finna village with other areas.
Another concrete bridge was damaged extensively by the flood water, making it unusable for the people.There is a serious threat that this bridge might collapse any time.Official sources said that Astore-Deosai Road has been blocked at various points, stranding several local international tourists in different areas of GB.
Local people have also been facing serious difficulties due to damaged roads at several places.Speedy melting of glacier due to heatwave caused flash flood in Hoper nullah of Nagar district, damaging private properties and several roads and bridges downstream.
In Naltar Valley flash floods severed links of some villages with other areas of the region.Taking notice of the flood situation in GB, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to rescue the tourists stranded in Astore.
The prime minister held a telephone call with NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik and asked him to take steps to rescue the marooned tourists as soon as possible.He also directed the NDMA chief to provide alternative routes to the tourists and local people of Finna village.
The NDMA on Friday informed the prime minister that foreign tourists in flash flood-hit area of Astore are safe and they are at a distant place from the affected area.Later in its report submitted to the prime minister, the NDMA said it took immediate action on to rescue foreign and local tourists from the flood-affected areas.
The report said that two Italian and an Argentinian tourist were safe and at a distant place from the affected area.It said that work has been under way to ensure swift restoration of the damaged Finnabridge.
GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has directed all departments concerned to stay alert in view of forecast of more rains in the region.On August 11, landslides and flash floods triggered by monsoon rains wreaked havoc in Kushnat, Pakora, Mominabad and other villages of Astore, killing two children and damaging 17 homes completely.
The floods also destroyed a veterinary hospital, a private school, several shops, cattle sheds, agricultural land, trees and crops.The affected people have been demanding alternative accommodation as 17 families have been made homeless by the flood.
