Many people share mesmerizing pictures of Atta'abad Lake and mostly a road and Passu cones look so stunning. There is no doubt at all as far as scenic beauty is concerned.
But, ask any local there and one would come to know about the disaster it causes to local people and economy since 4 January 2010 when a land sliding blocked River Hunza and this lake came into being.
The road at this particular place Gulmit Gojal n passu is just close to the Atta'abad Lake. It is more than 32 kms long lake filled with billions of cusecs of water. Environmentally it has been declared water bomb. I stayed there in June 2010, worked with victims and also shot a detailed documentary about the lake. It looks so beautiful but it is permanent threat as well.
I stayed one week right on the bank of Atta'abad lake in Gulmit Tourist Inn Hotel, every night we slept in fear of water, may enter hotel any time, only 3 guests were in hotel that time, it created disaster as blocked all land routes. after a couple of years, with help of China, the road was constructed through a tunnel. In case of any earthquake, this lake can create havoc for down stream areas as at that time, water's depth was 400 + feet.
The land and houses of many people of Shishkat Village, Payin Abad, Gulmit Gojal are still under water and there is no hope that this artificial lake would be no more as the water of river Hunza keep coming from up stream areas due to snow melting, water falls, springs, and rain etc.
This lake has created certain steps to be taken at down stream areas from Hunza to Gilgit and towards far of down stream areas at least till Tarbela dam and some of the steps are:-
Immediate Steps
1- Awareness and training about Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.
2. Early warning training to local communities and establishment of local disaster management committees
3.Trainings of search and rescue
4. Repair, renovation, arrangements of alternative safer places in case of disaster
Long Term Steps
Plantation of trees which can reduce risk of land sliding
Proper law enforcement regarding forests management to avoid mass scale of cutting of trees
Proper check on constructions especially at banks of streams and proper disposal of wastes
Identification, conservation and dissemination of indigenous practices of managing natural resources especial forest and water management.
Proper mechanism among different government and non government departments to deal with the any emergency
I would love if any reader gives more insight and review my write up critically. (Lyallpuria)
Links of my documentary are also given herewith.
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