KHAPLU, Gilgit-Baltistan: At least two people were killed and one injured in a landslide while they were cleaning a water channel near the village of Hassan Abad in the northern Hunza district of Gilgit-Baltistan, confirmed police and medical officials in the area on Sunday.

Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change and ranks eighth among countries most affected by extreme weather, according to a study conducted by the environmental protection group Germanwatch.

Last year, soaring temperatures triggered a glacial lake outburst flood, destroying a bridge playing vital trade and transportation role in the same village of Hassan Abad.

“Two people were killed while one was injured in Hassan Abad,” Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Shahmir Khalid said during a phone conversation with Arab News from the Hunza district. “The incident took place today. Both people who lost their lives belonged to the adjoining town of Ali Abad. They were cleaning the water channel in Hassan Abad when the landslide hit them.”

The SSP mentioned that many villagers in the area participated in the annual cleaning of the water channel to maintain a smooth and efficient irrigation system.

“Today, they were performing the same activity when the incident happened,” he said.

Dr. Muhammad Inamullah, deputy medical superintendent at the District Headquarters Hospital in Hunza, said the injured man was out of danger.

“The incident took place between 2 and 2:30 pm,” he continued. “The deceased suffered head injuries. The condition of the injured person is stable, and he is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.”

According to the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority, there were 113 reported events of climate-induced disasters and floods in the region last year, resulting in the loss of 23 lives.

Last month, an avalanche in the Shounter Top area of the Astore district in Pakistan’s northern areas claimed the lives of at least nine people, while nearly 25 others were injured.