The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) alert for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). High temperatures are expected to continue until the first week of July. This ultimately increases the melting of snow and glaciers, thereby increasing the risk of severe flooding in northern Pakistan.
According to the PMD, the ongoing rise in temperatures is expected to speed up the melting of snow and ice in glaciated valleys, and may rapidly increase the volume of meltwater in rivers, lakes and streams. The department also warned that new glacial lakes could form as more ice melts across the mountainous regions.
Moreover, expanding glacial lakes could weaken or destabilise their natural ice, potentially triggering Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). Such incidents can release huge volumes of water within a short time, posing a serious threat to downstream communities.
Officials cautioned that settlements located near rivers and streams in lower areas may face an increased risk of sudden flooding. The weather conditions may trigger heavy mudflows and landslides.
The PMD advised both residents and tourists to avoid visiting water areas such as riverbanks, and urged them not to camp, trek or stay near rivers until weather conditions improve. Authorities further recommended that landslides or debris flows could occur without warning.
Earlier this month, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) identified around 130 potentially dangerous glacial lakes that could threaten lower settlements if they burst.
Separately, the KP Health Department has directed hospitals across the province to establish special heatwave emergency units to ensure proper treatment of heatstroke patients as temperatures continue to rise.
The latest advisory comes as Pakistan faces increasingly frequent climate-related issues. Authorities have urged the public to follow official weather updates and strictly observe safety precautions to minimise risks during the ongoing period of extreme heat.
Read more: PMD predicts partly cloudy, humid weather in Karachi today
