GILGIT: A shepherd in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghizer district has been awarded PKR 10,000 and a certificate of appreciation by the regional police for saving dozens of lives by timely alerting residents about a glacier burst.
The shepherd, identified as Wasit Khan, noticed signs of the glacier breaking and immediately informed villagers via telephone. His quick action enabled around 100 families to evacuate their homes during the night, preventing any casualties.
According to officials, a devastating flood followed the glacier burst in Gupis area, causing severe damage. However, thanks to the early warning, residents managed to reach safer locations.
Later, a landslide trapped Khan and his family in the mountains, but the Pakistan Army successfully rescued them.
Local villagers praised the shepherd, stating that his timely phone call saved countless lives. Authorities emphasized that his vigilance set an example of how community awareness can play a crucial role in disaster risk reduction.
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