GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) government on Saturday announced that three shepherds, whose timely warning saved around 300 lives during the devastating floods in the Ghizer district, will be invited to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat for a special ceremony to honour their courage.
According to government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, the shepherds — Wasiyat Khan, Ansar, and Muhammad Khan — were stationed on the mountain slopes when they noticed approaching floodwaters before dawn. They quickly communicated the danger to villagers in Roshan, enabling hundreds of residents to evacuate to safety before the deluge struck. “The Chief Minister has conveyed a message of appreciation to these brave men.
Their vigilance, bravery, and sincerity have set an example for the entire region,” Faraq said, adding that the government will formally recognise their services. He admitted that the scale of flooding in Ghizer was unprecedented—greater even than the recent floods in Buner and Swat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He stated that nearly 100 houses had been affected, of which 55 were completely destroyed.
Thirteen houses and a community Jamaat Khana are now at severe risk from river erosion, while families in those areas have already been relocated to safer locations. “The formation of an artificial lake has disrupted mobility, leaving thousands of people unable to travel to nearby towns and villages,” the spokesperson noted. Faraq acknowledged that restoration work has been slow and admitted negligence on the part of the disaster management authorities. “There is an urgent need for the department to remain proactive and functional at all times,” he remarked.
He said the provincial government, with support from the federal government, would construct an alternative village for displaced families, while rehabilitation work would prioritise access to drinking water, electricity, roads, and communication. “The chief minister has directed expediting relief and restoration efforts, ensuring that the affected families receive timely support and their basic needs are met,” he said.
