ISLAMABAD (MNN); The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of a heightened risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as high temperatures are expected to continue until the first week of July.
According to the PMD, rising temperatures will accelerate snow and glacier melt, increasing water levels in rivers and streams. Existing glacial lakes may expand rapidly, while new lakes could also form, raising the risk of sudden flooding, flash floods, landslides, and mudslides in vulnerable areas.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also issued a landslide alert for Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir from June 27 to July 3. Authorities warned that key routes, including the Karakoram Highway and Jaglot-Skardu Road, may face temporary closures due to landslides and rockfalls.
Residents and tourists have been advised to avoid riverbanks, streams, glacial areas, and unnecessary travel in mountainous regions. Provincial authorities have been directed to monitor high-risk locations, prepare evacuation plans, ensure emergency resources are available, and launch public awareness campaigns.
Earlier this month, SUPARCO identified 130 potentially dangerous glacial lakes that could threaten downstream communities.
