Seven volunteers killed during repairs after flooding in Pakistan

• Seven volunteers were killed while repairing the damaged canal.
• The floods displaced roads and houses in the region of Gilgit-Baltistan.
• Weather disasters in Pakistan are linked to climate change.

In northern Pakistan, in the town of Danyor, as a result of a massive landslide caused by flooding, seven volunteers who were repairing the canal were killed during a rapid rise in water levels. The incident occurred on the morning of August 11, with three other people sustaining injuries.

Rescuers retrieved the bodies of the deceased after the landslide occurred early in the morning, reported Faizullah Farak, a representative of the regional government. This landslide happened the day after the flood, triggered by the melting of glacial lakes, which damaged the important Karakoram Highway, which connects Pakistan and China.

Engineers and workers were dispatched to the site of the incident with heavy equipment to begin repair work. At that time, the number of landslides in the area of the affected highway had already caused damage to homes in Danyor and nearby regions. The first responders evacuated those affected to safe places, providing them with essential food products.

The melting of glacial lakes, which occurred over the weekend, caused a rise in the level of the Hunza River and subsequently flooded areas that caused significant damage. The authorities are still assessing the extent of the damage. The chief minister of the Gilgit-Baltistan region, Gulbar Khan, called the deceased heroes who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the community.

Gilgit-Baltistan is known for its small glaciers, which provide 75% of the water that is stored in the region. In the past month, the region experienced landslides, resulting in the deaths of 18 tourists, whose vehicles were swept away.

Experts note that floods, triggered by the melting of glacial lakes, occur when water, trapped under ice, rapidly escapes through the breaking of glacial or sedimentary barriers. Scientists believe that rising temperatures, linked to climate change, accelerate the melting of glaciers in northern Pakistan, increasing both the size and number of these lakes.

Research published in the last week by the International Water Management Institute found that the amount of precipitation from June 24 to July 23 was 10-15% higher due to global warming. Pakistan produces less than 1% of the world's greenhouse gases, but research shows that the country suffers from extreme weather conditions, regardless of its small contribution to global emissions. In 2022, during the worst monsoon season, floods killed more than 1,700 people, with total losses estimated at $40 billion.

Since the beginning of the rains and flooding on June 26, more than 300 people have died in Pakistan.

Tags: Weather