worried scared upset angry: a perspective on the Hunza lake – by Cheryl Carruth
Standing in the spillway, looking down at the approaching lake. (Photo by Zulfiqar Ali Khan, Pamir Times)
Standing in the spillway, looking down at the approaching lake. (Photo by Zulfiqar Ali Khan, Pamir Times)
I can’t remember a time I’ve been so worried. Any day now, including today, the lake water could reach the spillpoint in Gojal. According to dave’s landslide blog, once the water starts pouring down the other side of the dam, erosion will most likely start within hours and there’s a significant risk the dam could give way before long. The hope is for slow erosion. I’m so scared for the people downstream. What loss of property – and even life – will result? Few people have the money to replace land, home, and livestock. The good people of Gojal are already facing this terrible reality, and now many more may join them.
What’s got me upset is not knowing what’s going on. We’ve come to expect regular updates from Pamir Times, but besides a few articles that recap the latest blather from govt officials, there’s nothing. No reports indicating the status of the water. No reports that let us know Noor and Zulfi are safe. Where are they? I presume they’re onsite, investigating, and unable to upload at the moment, but I’m going spare with this silence. Add to this the Pakistan Facebook ban (unbelievable timing!) and what appears to be a ban on YouTube as well, and there’s truly no news coming across from the sources I’ve relied upon.
I am so angry about this whole situation. From the very beginning, there’s been so much talk, talk, talk with no action! I cannot grasp the irresponsibility of the leadership. I applaud the NGO FOCUS and some of the local GB leaders for doing what they can, but the federal authorities have been truly negligent. Pakistan’s mainstream media has been cowardly in their reluctance to point out this negligence, and most international reports have simply been rehashes of official government statements, such as thisnonsense in the New York Times, which misleads the reader into thinking all is under control.
Today, in a striking statement of incomprehensible ignorance, Pakistan’s major English newspaper Dawn reported that “Nobody except few experts anticipated that the disaster of January 4th, 2010 would turn Gojal valley into a water bomb.” Oh really, nobody? Except for me (a simple tourist), my friends (people with brains), and the local population (also people with brains). That Dawn could make such an insulting and false statement shows how much the rest of the country is catching up and finally realizing the gravity of the situation.
The next day or two will try my patience as it’s rarely been tried before, but this is nothing to the worry that must be gripping the people whose livelihoods are at stake. I send every good thought their way and wish for the slowest possible erosion of the dam. These are kind and generous people. They do not deserve this. I look forward to a day when this is history, when pain and fear are replaced with spirited music and joyful dancing.
Source: Great World blog
Next 24 hours crucial as distance between lake, spillway lessen
Updated at: 0925 PST, Friday, May 28, 2010 ShareThis story
GILGIT BALTISTAN: The local administration has declared next 24 hours crucial as the distance between lake level and spillway reducing swiftly, Geo News reported Friday.
Local administration said water level in Attabad Lake increasing sharply due to rain and coming 24 hours are crucial. Sporadic rain could halt helicopter service for the affectees, which multiplies the sufferings of the affectees.
Also, Karakoram Highway till Gilgit has been closed for indefinite period because of possible water spill from the lake. The closure disconnected land link between Hunza and Gilgit.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=105596
HHRD’s relief efforts for Hunza IDPs – 28 May 2010
Source: Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD)
Date: 28 May 2010
Background
An artificial lake (called Attabad Lake) was created out when landslides blocked the River Hunza in northern Pakistan on 4th January, 2010. It has been killed 20 and left more than 25,000 people disconnected.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday said that expected time of overflow of the Hunza Attabad Lake was likely to be on May 28-29.
Talking to the media, DC Hunza Nagar confirmed that water level is currently 4 feet below the spillway and people from downstream areas have been shifted to other places.
The National Disaster Management Authority has identified at least 36 villages in the Hunza valley for evacuation in case the water burst. About 22 areas have been marked in Diamir District which also has been declared a Red Zone.
Experts believe the water is expected to rise further in the coming days because of rain and melting glaciers.
“Water is expected to reach the spill way from 26 kilometers- long lake on Thursday and then overflowing will begin,” Asif Bilal Lodhi, a local NDMA official said. “The inflow at the lake was 2,600 cusecs and outflow was 200 cusecs, the lake is still spreading,” he said.
HHRD’s Response
– Need assessment has been completed
– Medical camp has been established in IDPs’ camp (cheetah colony) in Gilgat
– From 23rd to 26 May, 2010, in medical camp, a total of 133 patients have been treated
– Non food items have been Distributed in relief camp for IDPs (Cheeta colony )
Future Plan
– Distribution food package
– Hygiene Kits
– Mobile medical camp arrangement in other relief camps
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/SMAR-85VA8M?OpenDocument
Hello,
Thank you for your interest in the crisis in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The final version of my fundraising video is posted here, and I’ve removed old versions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKxmH35uFQk
Rgds,
Cheryl Carruth
Yes Certainly, uncertainity does breed anger and scepticism. You will agree that this calamity was of an in imaginable proportions.Even with the best equipment, disposal of such a huge quantity of Debris is a nightmare.I am sure time has taught us that all worries and apprehensions turned out to be unfounded.The Lake did not burst the spillway,and now it seems to have become an almost permanent Lake. What matters most is monitoring the depth of the spillway which shall decide the outcome of the Lake.If the lake survives the months of August and September, it is likely to become a permanent feature. Any human intervention to drain the lake shall only be possible after the peak flood season.Let us hope it behaves well.My sympathies with the people of Gojal who are braving the situation.
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worried scared upset angry: a perspective on the Hunza lake – by Cheryl Carruth
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