Date: June 23, 2019
Time: 1700PST

Update On Shishper Glacier, Hassanabad, Hunza

 The Shishper glacial dammed lake has been drained in a controlled way between night of 22nd and 23rd June 2019 generating discharge flow of 5000 cusecs. Minor damage to KKH was reported due to erosion of land below the road adjacent to Hassan Abad RCC bridge. AKAH also confirmed that 90% of the Shishper lake has been drained out.

 TA joint mission of PMD, UNDP, GBDMA and FOCUS was regularly monitoring the situation on site. The mission has already been reported to local administration in meeting held on Friday afternoon.

 PMD team is in field since last Sunday, working on the feasibility of installation of early warning system. Due to critical situation, as a first step towards fully automated early warning system, PMD immediately installed Automatic Weather Station (AWS) and rain gauge at the site. PMD team was in close coordination with GBDMA, local district administration, FWO and relevant stakeholders during the activity.

 It is further informed that Shishper glacier is still in the surging phase. Melting of both the glaciers are happening due to higher temperature. Hence, there is a probability of lake reformation. It is therefore suggested that Shishper glacier may be continuously monitored to avoid any disastrous situation.

 (Spokesperson)

Distribution:

1. Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Islamabad.
2. Chief Secretary, Gilgit Baltistan, Gilgit.
3. DG, Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), Gilgit.
4. Chairman, FFC, Islamabad.
5. Director, Regional Meteorological Center, Gilgit.
6. Program Director, Rescue 1122, Gilgit.
7. DCO's Hunza.