Gupis, Ghizer: A worsening humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Moula Abad village of Gupis tehsil, Ghizer district, as continued erosion along the Gupis River has displaced around 30 households and left the rest of the village facing an uncertain future. Due to the spillway constructed after last year’s devastating floods in Tali Das, the river changed its course downstream, resulting in a situation of riverbank erosion.
Homes and Farmland Swallowed by the River
Relentless bank erosion, compounded by flooding, has already destroyed homes and agricultural land in the village. Residents say the river has been steadily advancing for weeks, and with no protective infrastructure in place, the remaining households fear their properties could be next. The scale of destruction has left families with little time to salvage belongings before the water reached their doorsteps.
Irrigation Cut Off at the Peak of Growing Season
Beyond the immediate destruction, the flooding has severed the village’s irrigation water supply — a blow that could not have come at a worse time. With standing crops, orchards, and other vegetation now deprived of water during the peak growing season, farmers face the prospect of watching an entire season’s harvest wither in the fields. For a community reliant on subsistence agriculture, this threatens both household food security and local livelihoods well beyond the immediate emergency.
Displaced Families Living in Tents
The 30 displaced households are currently taking shelter in temporary tents, without access to permanent housing. Residents describe conditions as increasingly difficult, with basic needs unmet as the crisis stretches on.
Residents Appeal for Urgent Government Action
Villagers and community representatives are appealing to the government and disaster management authorities to intervene before further destruction occurs. Their key demands include:
Immediate protective works along the riverbank to halt further erosion
Restoration of irrigation channels to save remaining crops and orchards
Emergency assistance and safe shelter for displaced families
Residents warn that without swift action, the erosion could claim more homes and agricultural land, deepening what is already a significant blow to the village’s economy and food security.