Gilgit mudslide leaves eight volunteers dead amid fixing water channel

GILGIT: In a tragic incident, at least eight individual lost their lives due to mudslides, according to officials on Monday.

The deceased were working on the restoration of the flood-damaged Danyor Nullah in Gilgit, as per the officials.

More deaths are to be feared as the rescue operation is still in progress to find those under the debris.

Several others were injured and rushed to hospitals, where emergency services have been activated.

According to local reports, the volunteers were working to restore the flood-damaged water channel when the mudslide occurred.

As a result, numerous persons were buried beneath tons of soil and rocks.

Police reported four people were rescued from beneath the debris in serious condition, but many more are still buried as rescue personnel and villagers labor diligently to locate them.

Local officials said that the community had banded together to assist with the continuing rescue attempts. A tragic situation is happening in Gilgit.

Earlier, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) alert for the glaciated regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the alert, sudden GLOF events may occur during the current and coming week in view of a significant rise in temperatures and an upcoming weather system in northern Pakistan.

NDMA has advised all concerned federal ministries and departments, respective provincial governments, municipal administrations, and civic agencies to remain on high alert and ensure full preparedness.

Emergency response equipment must be placed at strategic locations for the timely restoration of any obstructed or damaged routes.

NDMA has also emphasized public awareness campaigns in at-risk areas to alert citizens about the dangers of GLOFs.