Earthquake 8th October 2005

The devastating earthquake led to a massive devastation in Azad Kashmir & Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The roads leading to the affected areas were either washed away or were completely blocked due to heavy landslides. Two Engineer Groups of FWO were immediately mobilized and massive relief efforts were initiated within minimum possible time. The roads and pathways were opened on war footing to enable the relief aid to reach far flung areas of our rugged Northern Areas and Kashmir. The immediate response and actions taken by FWO were pivotal in rescuing thousands.
Some significant contributions are as under:
Azad Kashmir Roads
Earthquake had seriously disrupted the communication infrastructure in Kashmir thus denying land access to the calamity struck areas. After hectic efforts by FWO, two major roads leading to Muzaffarabad were opened for traffic within 24 hours. Road Garhi Habibullah - Muzaffarabad, Road Murree-Kohala-Muzaffarabad and Leswa Bypass were opened by the dedicated force by working through day and night.
KKH and KKH-Skardu Road
The 976 km long stretches of KKH and Gilgit-Skardu roads were blocked at more than 52 locations after the earthquake but were opened for traffic in a record time. This proved vital in saving lives of hundreds.
Emergency Bridge at Ganol
The Village Ganol is 17 Km from Balakot. It received the second set back on 17 January 2006, when due to continuous aftershocks a major landslide washed away the concrete bridge. FWO immediately responded and successfully launched a 180 ft long equipment bridge to restore the land route.
Summary of Roads & Tracks Cleared
The 976 km long stretches of KKH and Gilgit-Skardu roads were blocked at more than 52 locations after the earthquake but were opened for traffic in a record time. This proved vital in saving lives of hundreds.
Hattian Bala
Huge landslides after the earthquake blocked the flowing nullah and a lake was formed that was continuously expanding due to huge flow of water. A lake burst could have swept away the population of Hattian Bala and surroundings. FWO's task force was immediately mobilized to carve a spillway and by the grace of Allah considerable degree of water pressure was reduced, thereby saving the grieved population from further devastation.
Uch Power Plant
Heavy floods occurred in vicinity of Sibi and Naseerabad districts in Mar 2005. The flood water seriously damaged hydraulic structures in the area. However, timely and swift control of the situation by taking effective flood control measures in the aftermath of breaching of Fajal Dam and Googi reservoirs on Night 21/22 Mar 2005, contributed in saving Uch Power Station and Dera Murad Jamali City from disaster. This indeed proved to be a stitch in time.
Sukkur Barrage
Seven canals originate from this barrage; constructed in 1932 Sukkur Barrage is the main source of irrigation in Sindh. In late 2004, cracks appeared in its concrete bed and a pier. The damage was rapidly increasing and it was feared that the next year's floods could cause serious damage to the barrage, thus triggering a national disaster. The time available for repairs was only six months of lean water flow ie from December to May 2005. Emergency restoration was ordered to FWO through personal directive of President of Pakistan. Any delay or failure in execution could have resulted in loss of this national asset but the challenge was undertaken on fast track basis and the project was completed five days ahead of schedule. Officers and Jawans of FWO worked day and night to save the barrage and yet again proved the strength of their spirit.
Gyari Landslide
In Apr 2012, a major landslide occurred in Siachin (Gyari Sector) 139 soldiers embraced Shahadat. Ex-CoAS General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani vowed not to rest till all the bodies were retrieved. FWO mobilized and played an instrumental role in recovering the bodies of Shauhda.
Ran Pathani Railway Bridge
Heavy rains and flood water washed the railway bridge at Ran Pathani on 30th Jul 2006 near Hyderabad and all trains to Karachi were halted. Pakistan Railways made a temporary arrangement and restored the traffic on 6 August 2006, which lasted 7 days only and was again washed away by rain water. This bridge was restored thrice in a month but each time did not last long due to heavy rains in the area. Finally FWO was tasked to take charge of the situation. FWO immediately mobilized and started construction of a permanent structure on 18 August 06 and was completed in a record time of three months.
Attabad Landslide
Landslide occurred on 4 January 2010 in Gilgit-Baltistan, blocking KKH and resulting in formation of an Artificial Lake near Attabad Village ahead of Hunza. The water level was rising at an alarming pace and the danger of a possible lake burst was becoming increasingly ominous. It was an eventuality that, in the opinion of experts, threatened areas up to Tarbela. Immediate mobilization of FWO and relentless pursuit of singular objective of lowering the lake levels was the only available hope. FWO yet again succeeded in its mission but lost a devoted leader, Colonel Arif Mehmood Alam, who embraced Shahadat while rescuing his troops.
The words of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah are FWO's inspiration
"Do not be overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. There is many an example in history of young nations building themselves up by sheer determination and force of character. You are made of sterling material and are second to none. Why should you also not succeed like many others, like your own forefathers? You have only to develop the spirit of the "mujahids"