Known for its snow-capped mountains, glistening rivers, and unparalleled tranquility, Hunza, Pakistan's northern treasure, is currently dealing with one of the most catastrophic natural catastrophes in recent memory. This utopia has been transformed into a sight of devastation by the recent flood in Hunza, which has left towns trapped, roads washed away, and lives disrupted. Intense rainfall and heavy glacial melt led rivers to overflow, engulfing villages and obstructing access to a number of isolated locations.
The residents of Hunza, who are known for their friendliness and warmth, are currently struggling to start over. Fruit orchards have been washed away, homes have been demolished, and the tourism industry, which is one of Hunza's lifelines, has completely collapsed. Relief operations are complicated by the landslides that have blocked roads that connect Hunza to Gilgit and other areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. The Pakistan Army, volunteers, and rescue crews are putting forth endless effort to give the impacted households food, shelter, and medical assistance.
This tragedy is made even more distressing by the fact that researchers attribute these floods to climate change and the increasing frequency of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in Pakistan's northern regions. Beautiful glaciers in Hunza, such as Passu and Batura, are melting at previously unheard-of speeds, resulting in unstable water bodies that can brust without warning
The Gulmit neighborhood of Passu has been particularly heavily impacted by the recent Hunza flood, creating a path of devastation that has rocked the village to its foundation. Strong floodwaters have destroyed important bridges, preventing people from accessing necessary supplies and preventing towns from communicating with one another. Fertile agricultural lands are now covered in muck and rubble, and fruit-bearing trees that were the pride of Gulmit's orchards have been uprooted. In a couple of hours, these fields that previously gave families food and revenue have been destroyed. In addition to interfering with local movement, bridge devastation has made it more difficult to distribute supplies by impeding rescue and relief efforts. This is more than just a natural calamity for the residents of GulmitIt is a blow to their heritage, economy, and way of life. Nevertheless, despite this destruction, the community's tenacity is evident as residents cooperate to remove trash, help one another, and restore the area they have known for many generations.In Pakistan's northern regions, climate change has drastically changed daily life, causing many communities to rebuild after losing their houses, fields, and means of subsistence. The recent flood in locations like Gulmit and Passu is not merely a natural calamity; rather, it is a direct result of climate change, glacier melting, and erratic weather patterns. In order to assist these resilient individuals in rebuilding their lives, we hope that NGOs, climate activists, and the local government would take decisive action. On the other hand, those who are sitting comfortably in air conditioning and talking about climate change from a distance ought to come out, be kind, and make real contributions. Words must give way to action now in order to restore not just the—infrastructure, but also the lost hope, and to restore what has been taken from the people.
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