In brief
In Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, melting glaciers and climate change expose communities to devastating lake outbursts and landslides, uprooting lives and homes. Residents are forced to navigate a precarious future while coping with the changing landscape and threats posed by extreme weather.
Amid the breathtaking landscapes of the Karakorum mountains in Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan, the story of the families in the Hunza valley illustrates the chilling impact of climate change. Komal, a resident of the village of Hassanabad, describes a sunny day that turned tragic when a glacial lake burst upstream, unleashing torrents of water, boulders, and debris that obliterated her community. “By the time I came home, people were taking what they could out of their homes,” she recounts, highlighting the suddenness of the disaster that claimed homes and lives.The devastation did not just affect the immediate landscape; it marked a profound emotional and psychological shift for the inhabitants of Hassanabad. Komal reflects on the transformation of her once lush garden into a barren landscape, reminiscent of the rain-drenched orchards that shaped her childhood memories. “This used to be all a green place,” she says, expressing her sorrow over the loss.Researchers indicate that these cataclysmic events in the region are directly influenced by climate change. In an area sometimes referred to as the Third Pole, significant ice reserves are rapidly diminishing; experts warn that Himalayan glaciers could lose close to two-thirds of their mass by century’s end. This has severe implications for the population at risk— over 48,000 people across Gilgit-Baltistan could face the threat of glacial lake outbursts and landslides.Zubair Ahmed from the Disaster Management Authority underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges, as the frequency and intensity of such disasters rise. He states, “I can say that after five or ten years, it will be very difficult for us to even survive.” The path to relocation is fraught with complications; communities have deep attachments to their ancestral lands and face obstacles in finding new safe habitats with adequate resources.In Passu, a nearby village, locals are continuously preparing for potential evacuations through drills led by volunteers like Ijaz, who are trained in emergency responses. Still, they recognize the limitations of their capacity to respond to a major flood event. “If the flood comes and it’s a heavy flood we can’t do anything,” he laments.Efforts to implement mitigation measures, such as stone barriers and early warning systems, are hindered by resource constraints. Ahmed acknowledges the initial steps taken but emphasizes a need for expansion, as many valleys are yet to be equipped with safety technologies.Sultan Ali, an elder from the same valley, reflects a deep-seated sense of helplessness as he watches the landscape change beneath him, expressing the fear of losing everything to future floods. He articulates a widespread sentiment among residents who feel the weight of uncertainty regarding survival in the face of increasing environmental threats.While Komal recognizes that their time in Hassanabad may be limited due to the risks posed by climate change, she is puzzled as to where her family could go. “I don’t think we will stay here forever,” she confesses, mirroring the plight of countless families caught in this relentless cycle of environmental degradation, thereby painting a poignant picture of a community clinging to the remnants of its past amid an uncertain future.
