Shisper glacier surging normal; supra-glacial lake posing serious risk: GBDMA

ISLAMABAD, Apr 2 (APP):Gilgit Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) assistant director Tuesday said Shisper Glacier has been surging at a normal rate whereas the supra-glacial lake formed aftermath is posing serious risk to local population and infrastructure.

Talking to APP, GBDMA assistant director said Shisper Glacier had surged to 2300 meters since May 2018, which was surging 5m to 6m per day which means it would take 2-3 months for the glacier to reach Karakoram Highway (KKH) main bridge which was 5 kilometers far from the glacier.

“The experts claim that a thick ice wall of 1 km has been created on the glacier which has reduced the risk of outburst of the glacial lake, however there is no threatening condition. The glacier surge has damaged irrigated water channel near Aliabad village. The glacier is overall 11.5 km long and has potential to cause to serious losses if the situation does not abate,” he added.

However, it depends on the weather patterns, which would affect glacial melting process and cause flooding in the area. “Currently, water discharge is going on beneath the glacier and GBDMA has written a letter to Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) for isotopic study of the glacier. It will help us to research the melting phenomenon and determine either it is glacial lake or glacier melting and further devise strategies to cope with the situation,” the assistant director said.

To a question, he said they were waiting for the reply of PAEC whereas early warning systems were to be installed by next month for in time detection of threats posed in case of glacial lake outburst.

He reiterated that surging was not an issue, mitigation work was in progress which would be completed in 2-3 weeks. The population was not already apprised of the developing serious situation and there was enough rationing of non-food items and medicines to deal with the consequent disaster, he added.

“We have enough response time available till the glacial lake burst and once latest early warning systems have been installed then we will have maximum 15-30 minutes response time available,” he informed.

He went on to say that two grid stations were shut down due to glacial surge which left 70 percent of Hunza’s population without electricity. The glacier initially had also damaged the under construction power station whereas sensitive piece of equipment and infrastructure was already moved from the location.