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Children wade through a flooded street after Cyclone Gezani tore through the port city of Toamasina, Madagascar, on February 12. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday issued an emergency Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) warning warning of possible flash floods and landslides in Gilgit-Baltistan and upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa from March 10 to 12.
The warning states that temperatures over the northern mountain areas have remained above normal over the past few days.
An expected widespread storm to hit the region in the coming days is likely to accelerate glacial melt, especially near the glacier termini, increasing the risk of flash and dangerous flash floods.
Communities living in the affected areas have been advised to be vigilant and exercise extreme caution near rivers, streams and low-lying valleys.
The affected authorities across the federal and provincial levels have been urged to take immediate measures to protect both lives and critical infrastructure.
The warning has been formally distributed to a number of key national bodies, including the National Disaster Management Authority, Federal Flood Commission, Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority and KP’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority, among others. The PMD has urged all concerned agencies to remain on high alert and take all necessary precautions to avoid any untoward situation during this critical three-day weather window.
