Pakistan Meteorological Department Warns of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Risks in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Due to Rising Temperatures

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) alert for Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing persistent high temperatures that are expected to continue through early July.

The Met Office warned that the elevated temperatures would accelerate snow and ice melt in glacier-fed valleys, potentially causing rapid increases in river water levels and expansion of existing glacial lakes, with new lakes forming from melted water.

This could lead to heightened risks of sudden flooding in low-lying areas and riverbanks, as well as potential GLOF incidents if glacial lake dams become unstable due to the increased water volume.

The PMD also highlighted the risk of mud and debris flows descending mountain slopes, increasing the likelihood of landslides in steep regions.

In response, the KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) directed district commissioners in affected areas—including Upper and Lower Chitral, Dir Upper, Swat, Upper and Lower Kohistan, and Mansehra—to implement proactive monitoring, evacuation drills, and public awareness campaigns.

Local authorities were instructed to maintain emergency supplies at evacuation sites and coordinate with the National Highways Authority, Frontier Works Organisation, and Communications and Works Department to restore infrastructure if needed.

PDMA emphasized the need to protect lives and assets by advising against travel to high-risk zones and ensuring public safety measures are in place.

Separately, Suparco identified 130 potentially hazardous glacial lakes that could threaten downstream communities, while KP’s health department established emergency units to address heat-related illnesses from the extreme temperatures.

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