Taming the Monster - Attabad Landslide Dam

Hindukash - Karakoram - Himalayan (HKH) is a hazard prone region where triggering of landslides due to seismic, geological, hydrological or anthropogenic reasons is a common phenomenon. On 4th January 2010, a massive landslide at Attabad swept the low lying Surat village and blocked Hunza River thereby creating a dam resulting into a huge lake upstream. As a result of preliminary planning, emergency response was launched by Frontier Works Organization (FWO), a civil engineering component of Pakistan Army Engineers on instruction of the Federal Government and a 24 meters deep spillway cut was made through which the water started flowing on 29th May 2010 resulting into lowering of water in the lake. A detailed planning ensued and different proposals including those of Chinese, Americans and FWO were considered and finally based on cost-benefit analysis, the indigenous effort for execution was approved. FWO planned the operation in five stages whereby 675 meters long spillway was to be deepened by 30 meters having a width of approximately 60 meters resulting into lowering of water in the lake by over 50 percent. The working and weather conditions were extreme. The work was only possible in winter season when the water inflow reduced to minimum. FWO with dynamic leadership, meticulous planning, determined execution and methodical working achieved the assigned target within three working seasons and reduced the spillway bed level from 2398 meters to 2368 meters. Following the examples of other landslide dams in the world, Attabad Lake can be sustained after partial draining out through spillway and this natural hazard can be transformed into an opportunity. Announcement regarding establishing Kashgar -Gawadar Corridor made by Prime Minister of Pakistan during his recent visit to China in June 2013,by developing road and rail link between the two countries has given a new dimension and importance to Northern Areas in general and Hunza Valley in particular where the transforming of Attabad lake into an opportunity has promising prospects and enlightened future.