GILGIT: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday praised the bravery of a local shepherd in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghizer district whose timely warning saved hundreds of villagers after a glacial outburst triggered flash floods late Thursday night.
According to officials, the shepherd, Wasiyat Khan rushed to alert residents of Tali Das village when a glacier burst sent floodwaters surging towards the settlement. His intervention prevented what authorities said could have been a major tragedy, as the early warning systems installed under the UNDP-funded GLOF-II project failed to activate.
On Friday, Gilgit police awarded Mr Khan Rs10,000 and a certificate of appreciation in recognition of his role in saving lives.
The glacial flood blocked the Ghizer River for nearly 10 hours, inundating large parts of Tali Das and neighbouring Roshan village. Rescue 1122 reported that more than 200 people were evacuated to safety, while displaced families were shifted to relief camps in Yangal and Sumal, where medical aid and supplies were being distributed.
Officials confirmed that no casualties had been reported but said around 80 per cent of Tali Das had been destroyed, with dozens of homes washed away.
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Locals criticised the failure of the multimillion-dollar early warning system, saying it was the shepherd’s alert rather than technology that saved lives.
The prime minister lauded Mr Khan’s courage, saying he risked his own life to ensure the safety of others. He directed officials to expedite relief efforts, provide immediate medical assistance, and begin rehabilitation work as soon as rescue operations conclude. He also instructed authorities to step up preparations in view of fresh monsoon spells.
A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) occurs when water suddenly escapes from a glacial lake, often overwhelming rivers downstream. Pakistan, home to more than 13,000 glaciers — the largest reserve outside the polar regions — has been identified as highly vulnerable to climate change, with experts warning that nearly 10,000 glaciers in Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan are melting at an accelerated pace.
