CHITRAL: The effects of climate change were felt in Chitral as a glacier erupted, causing severe flooding in drains.

The extreme pressure in the drains completely destroyed two wooden bridges in the area.

The discharge of water from Sheshpur in Gilgit also intensified, while the flood in the Hussainabad drain surrounded the temporary bridge there.

The bridge has been closed to public and the traffic coming to Hunza Valley is now being diverted to Nagar.

Flooding also occurred in Shigar and Ghizer, affecting the movement of traffic in the areas.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said it had not received any reports of casualties or infrastructure damage so far.

The Director General (PDMA) said that they are in touch with the district administration, adding that the control room is fully operational.

“People should report any untoward incident to our helpline 1700,” he said.

According to the UNDP, the glaciers melt because it is getting hotter. They melt and form lakes. GB and KP have 3,044 glacial lakes. The UNDP says that 33 of these glacial lakes are at risk of GLOF or glacial lake outburst flooding (GLOF).

This leaves 7.1 million people in GB and KP vulnerable.