Key points
- Almost entire village of Tali Das in Ghizer district destroyed
- Residents in downstream areas urged to evacuate
- Artificial lake grows at alarming pace, submerging upstream villages
ISLAMABAD: The flow of the Ghizer River in Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan region has been completely blocked since approximately 3 am on Friday following a reported glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in the Saro Gah Nullah at Raushan, in the Ghizer district.
The entire village of Tali Das — located roughly 100 kilometres from Gilgit city — has been devastated.
Dozens of homes have been destroyed, along with standing crops, orchards, and large swathes of arable land.
Videos circulating on social media and verified by WE News English showed more than a dozen people stranded on a small patch of land, surrounded by fast-moving mudslides.
Fortunately, all those trapped were successfully rescued by local volunteers on Friday morning.
Early warning
According to local sources, shepherds in the Saro Gah Nullah area alerted residents of Tali Das at around 2 am, warning them of a “lake outburst”. Although villagers managed to flee to higher ground, the settlement was later overwhelmed and destroyed by recurring mud and landslides.
“We have moved to safety, but everything we left behind has gone,” a retired military veteran said.
The mudslides have not stopped yet, he said, adding that almost 90 per cent of the Tali Das village has been devastated.
Expanding threat
At least five local sources who spoke to WE News English reported that a lake has formed as a result of the GLOF event and is expanding at an alarming rate. Parts of upstream villages, including Raushan, Hakis, and Baro Singal have already been submerged.
One video shared online shows the Raushan Bridge on the Gilgit–Chitral Road submerged, raising concerns about further infrastructure damage and the isolation of affected communities.
“The lake has begun submerging homes and entire villages,” local journalist Muhammad Ayub said.
Evacuations urged
In response to the unfolding situation, local authorities have urged residents living in low-lying downstream areas to evacuate immediately and move to safer ground, fearing further flooding or lake breaches.
Rescue operations are ongoing, while emergency services and disaster management authorities are monitoring the evolving threat, Ghizer superintendent of police said without elaborating.
