By Zulfiqar Ali Khan
HUNZA, Feb 8: The main bridge on Karakoram Highway (KKH) linking Pakistan and China near Gulmit and Shishkat villages, would submerge within 24 days in the lake formed on Hunza River due to the blockade of the river, said an official of the Frontier Works Organisation.
Naseem Hassan, spokesman for the FWO, in a briefing to Gilgit-Baltistan Legislativ Assembly Speaker Wazir Baig and Chief Secretary Babar Yaqub Fateh Muhammad at the lake site, said the rising water level further increased due to the recent snowfall. He said FWO engineers had excavated about 8 metres of the debris since Jan 29.
Experts were conducting study on the outburst of the lake as it was a possibility, he added.
The chief secretary said that 10 boats had been moved from Islamabad to facilitate the movement of people, food and other essential items to and from Gojal valley upstream on the lake.
He directed the Gilgit-Baltistan Power and Works Department to develop an approach road to the boat platform site for four vehicles to ease the travel of patients and women.
Meanwhile, the helicopter service remained suspended for the fifth consecutive day due to inclement weather leaving over 500 people, mostly patients and students, stranded on both sides of the blockade.
Our Correspondent form Gilgit adds: The blockade of KKH entered second consecutive day and traffic between Gilgit and rest of the country remained suspended, NHA officials said.
The KKH was blocked at Kero, Dasu and Tero points due to landsliding after heavy rain. The officials said that work for clearance of boulders could not be carried out due to heavy rain. Hundreds of trucks and buses were stranded and supply of goods was also stopped.
Meanwhile, PIA flights were also suspended due to inclement weather. However, all roads within Gilgit-Baltistan were open and the traffic was running. http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/national/main-bridge-on-kkh-to-submerge-in-24-days-920
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