Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani arrived here on a day-long visit to assess the situation caused by landsliding and creation of an artificial lake that threatens downstream areas. The lake was created on January 4 as a huge landslide blocked the flow of Hunza river and carried along with it the Atta Abad village. The artificial lake has stretched back to 19 km, submerging a number of low-lying villages, destroying crops and fruit trees. Prime Minister, accompanied by Minister for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, also had an aerial view of the artificial lake and the affected areas. He was informed that the boat service has been stopped and stranded people would be ferried through helicopters and supplies dropped. Earlier Chairman NDMA Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed briefed the prime minister about the situation and measures taken to address any eventuality, soon after his arrival in Gilgit. According to his estimates water will start flowing over the 24 meter deep and 1300 meter long spillway created by the Frontier Works Organisation by May 25 and said arrangements have been made for 24,000 IDPs. He said camps have been set up at government schools and arrangements made to provide them food, shelter and medical assistance. He said those killed in the landsliding have been paid a compensation of Rs 0.5 million each, while Rs 100,000 provided for the injured.