In the Rawshan Nallah area of Gupis, Ghizer, a sudden high-level flood caused by a glacier lake outburst brought massive destruction. Several houses and fields were washed away, while dozens of families rushed to safer places to save their lives.
According to local sources, more than a hundred people, including women and children, were trapped for some time during the flood. With the help of villagers, they were rescued and taken to safe areas.
Eye witnesses said that shepherds played a key role. At around 3 AM, one of them made urgent mobile phone calls to warn villagers about the incoming flood. Because of his timely warning, many families evacuated immediately, preventing heavy loss of life.
On social media, people praised the shepherds for their alertness and also appreciated the mobile network coverage that allowed them to spread the warning on time.
At the same time, many criticized the authorities, saying that despite billions being invested in modern early warning systems, there is still no proper system in villages like Rawshan Nallah. Even where these systems exist, people have complained about their poor performance in recent weeks.
The incident highlights once again the urgent need to ensure that early warning systems for glacier lake outburst floods (GLOF) are not only installed in vulnerable areas but also kept active and effective.
As one social media post strongly pointed out:
“It was not the billions spent on early warning systems that saved lives, but the 3 AM call of this angel shepherd. He saved hundreds of families. There is no real early warning system or GLOF intervention in our villages. Linking his heroic call to the so-called government system is absolutely misleading and disrespectful.”
Watch Out the Footage on IMN https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1D4ZXtMkh9/
