Advises residents in low-lying areas to remain vigilant as heavy rains raise fears of flooding, landslides
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Tuesday issued a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) warning to five upper districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), directed district administrations to take precautionary measures and advised residents of low-lying areas to remain vigilant.
According to the PDMA, glaciers may melt due to the prevailing weather conditions in Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat and Upper Kohistan, adding that intense rainfall may trigger glacial lake outbursts, flash floods and landslides in these regions.
The advisory noted that scattered precipitation and thunderstorms, including isolated heavy downpours, are expected to affect vulnerable areas, increasing the risk of GLOFs and flash floods, where rising temperatures combined with precipitation could accelerate glacier melt.
“District administrations have also been directed to conduct evacuation drills in vulnerable communities and ensure that safe evacuation sites are fully stocked and operational. Authorities have been asked to ensure proactive monitoring of vulnerable glacier sites for timely early warnings and responses,” it said.
The PDMA advised residents in low-lying areas to remain vigilant, while communities in vulnerable areas must be alerted through effective communication systems, including community-based alerts.
The authority also directed that emergency and rescue service personnel remain available, with the necessary machinery and equipment pre-positioned for quick response.
Read more: Snowfall, rain expected in KP as temperatures fall sharply
According to the PDMA, a public awareness campaign was launched urging people to avoid unnecessary movement near streams, nullahs and rivers, warning of the risk of vehicles being swept away in fast-flowing water.
“Tourists and travelers have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel to sensitive areas. The authorities have been asked to maintain coordination with the National Highway Authority (NHA), Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and Communication and Works (C&W) Department for timely road restoration in case of blockages,” it added.
In cases of increased risk, controlled breakthrough of vulnerable glacial lakes can be carried out to prevent sudden eruptions. The PDMA said its emergency operations center remained operational around the clock and directed officials to share regular updates. Citizens have been advised to contact the helpline (1700) in case of an emergency.
Read also: PMD predicts heavy rains, storms over Balochistan, Punjab, KP
GLOF occurs when water from a glacier-fed lake is suddenly released, often due to the failure of a natural dam made of ice or debris. This rapid discharge can trigger severe flooding downstream, causing damage to infrastructure, agriculture and mountain communities.
