PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Saturday issued a warning about potential glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in Pakistan’s northern regions, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as heavy monsoon rains are forecast to continue into the coming week.
Rainfall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been significantly higher compared to the same period last year, prompting PDMA to issue alerts and advisories. According to PDMA spokesperson Anwar Shahzad, persistent high temperatures are also accelerating snow and glacier melt, increasing the risk of flooding in mountainous areas.
In an advisory circulated in mid-July, PDMA had already cautioned that such weather conditions could trigger severe events in vulnerable regions.
Tourism has also been affected. Dr. Abdul Samad of the KP Tourism Department confirmed the evacuation of over 500 tourists from Naran after a cloudburst on Friday night blocked roads. Heavy machinery was dispatched to clear debris and restore access.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, emergency supplies including tents, food, and medicines have been distributed among affected communities. Government spokesperson Faizullah Firaq said the floods caused serious damage to homes, roads, and livelihoods in several areas.
Rescue efforts continue along the Babusar Highway and in popular tourist destinations such as Fairy Meadows, where helicopters were deployed to evacuate stranded visitors.
With above-average rainfall so far this monsoon season, authorities fear a repeat of the catastrophic 2022 floods that submerged a third of the country and claimed 1,737 lives. Nearly 260 people have died during the current monsoon season, which continues through mid-September.
Pakistan, though contributing minimally to global emissions, remains among the countries most at risk from climate change.
