A landslide triggered by lightning stopped the flow of the River Indus near Fairy Meadow in the Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan on Wednesday, causing the river to grow into a lake – like the one formed in Attabaad a few years ago – by midnight and leading to an outcry on social media.

Social media users from GB reported that debris from the landslide fell into the Mathar channel connected to the Indus River immediately blocking the flow of water and causing panic among the local population who feared the newly formed body of water posed a threat to them.

However, a major climate change crisis was averted when the river blockage resolved on its own and the flow returned to normal by Thursday morning, reported Mujeebur Rehman of Aaj News.

In a video posted by Pamir Times to Twitter, one of the local residents is heard saying that flooding in a stream near Raikot, Diamer, has partially blocked the flow of the Indus River and created an artificial lake extending up to “Leechar Bridge.”

The video shows several men sitting near what looks like a bridge or a dyke in darkness.

Similarly, in a tweet Skardu.Pk – a local news outlet of Gilgit-Baltistan as they describe themselves – reported that the flow of the Indus River had partially stopped due to the debris.

It added that the bridge piers had disappeared in the growing water and that human settlements could be affected.

Chilas Assistant Commissioner Sadaqat Sada in a video statement initially termed the reports “exaggeration”. However, he confirmed that the water flow in the River Indus stopped briefly.

He also said that locals promptly informed the authorities about the threat, allowing time for evacuation.

He said there were reports that a dam-like situation had been created, prompting fears the body of water could extend up to the Kohistan district.

The assistant commissioner said that 8-10 livestock centers, as many houses and agricultural land were badly affected due to the deluge.

Sada said his team was monitoring the deluge in the Mathar stream since 06:00pm Wednesday.

He also said that the flow of Indus River water returned to normal as the debris was washed away due to the force of the deluge.

Climate change has adversely affected Pakistan as the memories from last-year floods are still fresh on people’s minds.