A Team of Experts constituted by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, has visited the Khurdopin Glacier, Shimshal Valley today to observe the situation on the site. In a meeting last week chaired by Lt. General Omar Mahmood Hayat, Chairman NDMA, it was decided that Team of Experts would visit Shimshal Valley and submit the report to the Chairman NDMA by early next month. Member Operations NDMA, Brigadier Mukhtar Ahmed is leading the team.
The Khurdopin Glacier situated in Shimshal Valley of district Hunza has a history of surging, retreating and bursting with a cycle of 20 years. The bursting of the Glacier Lake in 1905 and 1964 had caused considerable damage to both public and private infrastructure downstream beyond Gilgit city. The most recent surge was observed around 1998–99. After years of little movement, the glacier began a rapid advance in October 2016. As ice and sediment pushed into the river, a sizable lake pooled up in December 2017. As per experts report, the glacier has progressed quite abnormally and has completely blocked the Shimshal River resulting in creation of a Glacial Lake.
To deal with the developing catastrophe Chairman NDMA had directed the Team of Experts to visit the site and after observing the situation on ground submit a comprehensive report on Shimshal Valley Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Risks, covering all aspects including technical and financial details and recommendation for implementation. On the basis of observation taken, the Team of Experts would submit its recommendation and necessary remedial measures to cope up with the brewing calamity. All the logistic arrangement to visit were managed by the NDMA.