UPPER CHITRAL: The beautiful Reshun Valley of Upper Chitral district has been affecting by floods for the last 13 years. Here centuries-old glaciers lying on the peaks of mountains melting in summer season by increasing temperature causing for sudden floods due to which the people here have faced financial and human losses on large scale. The disastrous flood that occurred in 2015 had not only destroyed the only communication bridge between two districts at Reshun , but the main highway of Peshawar Chitral was also swept away by the flood for a kilometer. Houses, shops, cultivated land, standing crops and orchards of fruit trees were also destroyed due to tremendous floods. In view of the devastation caused by the flood, many families were displaced from here and the victims were forced to take shelter elsewhere. These migrated people facing a lot of hardships. As Centuries-old glaciers above Reshun erupt suddenly in summer due to intense heat, causing unexpected floods in the scenic valley which changed its shape. To protect this beautiful area from damages of floods, Soil and Water Conservation department has constructed protection wall in the Reshun goal drain to protect the area from further damages. In the same place, the hall and laboratory of the Government High School were also destroyed due to flood in 2015. A shelter home was also constructed by this department in short period of 3 months to provide shelter to the people in a safe place, as this shelter home can be used by local people as a community hall as needed.
These construction works were funded by the United Nations Development Program through the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF 2) Project. Social and Water Conservation department completed this work in a short period of only three months. UEDP Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Rizk and UNDP Women representative visited these sites for inspecting and inaugurating these development works who greatly appreciated the work. They also planted saplings in front of the community hall on this occasion. Director General of Soil and Water Conservation Mohammad Yasin Khan Wazir, SDFO Forest Department Umair Nawaz, and representatives of GLOF II Shahzada Iqtidarul Mulk and other staff were also present on this occasion. Iqtarul Malik, the provincial representative of GLOF Two Project, briefed the representatives of UNDP. These guests also visited the damaged site in Reshun which was completely destroyed due to flood eight years ago and the Peshawar-Chitral road was also had washed away by flood after which the National Highway Authority constructed an alternative road within the village to continue traffic.
In this regard, a function was also held in Reshun in which the people of the area presented thanks to UNDP and demanded that a long-term plan be approved to protect Reshun from flood on permanent basis, which often faces floods. The resident representative of UNDP expressed that what I had heard about the beauty of Reshun in New York , I have the opportunity to see with my team practically. He said that I am very sorry to see the devastation of the flood and the United Nations Development Program will never frustrate you to leave you helpless. On this occasion, the guests were presented traditional Chitrali cloak and Caps, while the UN lady representative, who is from Russia, were presented traditional cap. The UNDP team also visited the power house in Reshun which was completely destroyed in the flood of 2015. On this occasion, he also talked to this scribe. In honor of the Director General of Soil and Water Conservation, the people of Reshun also organized a polo match, the game of kings or King of games. On this occasion, DG Muhammad Yasin Khan Wazir distributed cash prizes among the players to encourage and motivate them.
Talking to the media, the people of the area said that before this, their lives were always in danger, but now after the construction of these protection walls, they will live in a peaceful environment. Yasin Wazir assured the people of the area that he will try of his best as possible to convert barren land in cultivable lands in Chitral as well as to protect the cultivated land from floods and other natural calamities. A large number of ladies and gentlemen of the area participated in the event.
By: Gul Hamad Farooqui .
