Sherry Rehman raises alarm over fast melting glaciers

Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman has expressed her serious concerns over glaciers melting in Gilgit and Baltistan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Presiding over a meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, Senator Sherry Rehman said “Nepal tragedy is heartbreaking.” She said a separate fact-finding committee has been constituted for Gilgit and Baltistan and they should focus on its findings.

Sherry Rehman said that 70 percent of our water is coming from Gilgit and Baltistan. There is a huge land surface area here. She said that whenever there is GOLF that must harm our low-lying areas.

Director-General Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority Ataur Rehman Kakar also attended the meeting online.

Senator Sherry Rehman expressed her displeasure over the unavailability of a briefing document in the committee.

She warned that this practice should not be repeated in the future. She asked the DG GB DMA to ask his office to send the necessary documents at the earliest.

The committee also briefed the Federal Minister for Climate Change, Dr. Musaddiq Malik. 

The participants of the meeting were told that there is a significant difference between flooding and GLOF. When a GLOF occurs, massive boulders are swept along as if they were mere straws.

A crucial development needs to take place specifically in Gilgit-Baltistan, and a 'safe zone' needs to be established there.

We require digital training. We have identified 2,750 GLOF sites. If a GLOF outburst occurs, where will that water go?

We have signed MoUs regarding the Himalayan region. There is a need to set up digital labs.

Merely installing early warning systems is no longer sufficient. Disaster can strike anywhere.

Senator Sherry Rehman said to bring a plan to the meeting scheduled for the 29th of September. Digital training is a sound plan.

Reporter: Rozina Ali