Attabad Lake

Temporary blockade on Attabad spillway blasted open, water discharge exceeds 50,000 Cusecs

A view of the temporary blockade on the spillway that will be blasted open. File Photo: Abdul Waheed

PT Report

Aliabad, February 27 (Updated at 04: 30)

The water discharge from the recently opened spillway of the Hunza River has exceeded 50,000 Cusecs, according to a reporter present at Ganish. “The water flow is certainly above the summer peak flow level”, the reporter told Pamir Times on phone.

Chief Minister Gilgit – Baltistan, Syed Mehdi Shah, pushed a button to blast the temporary blockade constructed on top of the Attabad Spillway. The water flow has gradually increased and some sources have said that the volume is almost equal to summer peak flow.

The timing of blast was extended because a chopper carrying the Chief Minister, FCNA Commander and DG FWO could not fly as a result of inclement weather conditions. 

Local people from Shishkat have reported that the water level is slowly going down. According to one person the water level had decreased by around 15 inches during the first hour. 

A state of emergency has been imposed in Hunza – Nagar district while administration, NGO, police and levies have been put on high alert in three more districts ahead of the blast that is likely to remove a temporary blockade on the spillway of dammed Hunza River.

Commander of the FCNA, Maj. General Ikramul Haq, has reportedly visited the spillway to check the preparations.

People in the low laying downstream areas have been instructed to stay away from river banks and avoid traveling on the Karakuram Highway. The highway will be closed for traffic today, an official of the district administration informed.

Red mark showing decrease in the water level, at Gulmit. Courtesy: Faryad Baig