- Glacial lake outbursts can trigger flash floods: PDMA.
- Authorities required to ensure monitoring of vulnerable places.
- Motorists warned against attempting to cross fast-flowing streams.
LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Sunday issued a glacial lake outburst (Glof) warning for the northern areas of the country.
According to the PDMA, rising temperatures combined with periodic precipitation can accelerate glacier melting, increasing both the volume and water levels of glacial lakes.
The advisory comes as thousands of tourists, including many from Punjab and Lahore, travel to the northern regions during the summer season.
The authority has warned that the sudden eruption of glacial lakes could trigger flash floods and rapidly rising water levels, posing a serious threat to life, property and infrastructure.
District administrations of Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat, Upper Kohistan and Mansehra have been put on high alert.
Authorities have been instructed to ensure continuous monitoring of vulnerable locations, issue timely warnings, conduct evacuation drills in high-risk areas and prepare designated safe shelters.
Tourists and travelers have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, camping and hiking in exposed areas.
The PDMA has also cautioned motorists against attempting to cross fast-flowing streams and floods, warning that vehicles may be swept away by strong currents.
A glof is a sudden and potentially devastating flood that occurs when a natural dam of ice or loose rock containing a glacial lake fails.
Such events are commonly triggered by rising temperatures, heavy rainfall, or seismic activity that releases large amounts of water downstream within a short period of time.
