On the evening of July 6, 2025, a glacier lake outburst flood (GLOF) surged through the village of Hassanabad in Pakistan's Hunza Valley, destroying houses and irrigation systems. Triggered by the rapid melting of the Shisper Glacier, the flash flood forced villagers to evacuate and also damaged the local water supply system.

The flooding in Hassanabad reflects a broader challenge in Pakistan’s disaster governance. Antonia Fernanda Samur Zúñiga, a senior staff associate at NCDP, says interventions lack sustainability if they are not embedded in ongoing programs, policies and community governance structures. She explained: “Effective disaster preparedness involves regular training, integration into education and health systems and, most importantly, trusted partnerships with organizations already embedded in local communities.”