Winter Struggle: Flood-stricken Families in PoGB Face Harsh Conditions

As winter sets in across Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB), families displaced by devastating August floods in the Ghizer district find themselves stranded in makeshift tents. The flood victims are now urgently appealing to the government for immediate shelter and long-term rehabilitation, as temperatures plummet and facility inadequacies become glaring.

The calamity struck on August 22, submerging homes and farmlands. Musa Khan, head of the Social Welfare Local Council Group, reported the catastrophe directly affected 68 houses, extending destruction to 225 households and damaging 565 properties in lakeside areas. The floods also obliterated essential crops like wheat, corn, and fruit orchards, severely impacting local livelihoods.

Relief efforts commenced quickly; food, blankets, utensils, and warm clothes were distributed by local councils alongside hotels and community groups. Camps were established on August 23, assisted by organizations such as Ash Serena Hotel and the Hunza community. However, as Musa Khan noted, these efforts are insufficient. Volunteer Piyar Ali from the Afghan Social Welfare Board highlighted widespread impacts: disrupted traffic, damaged schools, and inaccessible roads, exacerbating the plight of nearly 400 children whose schooling was interrupted.

The disaster's reach extends to agriculture, with destroyed irrigation channels and dried-up orchards due to water shortages, compounding the community's struggle. Despite local teams' efforts to safeguard crops, the damage is severe. Drinking water scarcity presents an additional challenge. As freezing conditions render tents inadequate, urgent government action is demanded. Survivors' voices from PoGB underscore an unfolding humanitarian crisis, necessitating immediate state intervention to prevent this tragedy from worsening.

(With inputs from agencies.)