The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned on Monday that there is a risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the first week of August.
The Met Office said that hot weather and periods of rain are likely to melt more snow and ice in mountain areas.
This can raise water levels in rivers and streams. It may also cause new glacial lakes to form or make existing lakes bigger. As a result, sudden floods may happen.
The PMD said people living in low lying areas, narrow valleys and places near rivers are at greater risk. Fast snow and ice melt can also lead to landslides and debris falling from mountains.
People and tourists have been told to stay away from riverbanks, streams and glacial lakes. They have also been advised not to camp or go trekking in areas that are at risk.
At the same time, many roads in Gilgit Baltistan have remained closed for the fifth day after flash floods and GLOF events damaged roads and bridges. Officials are building a temporary Bailey bridge on the Baltistan Highway to reopen the route.
Lahore–Faisalabad train service suspended
Train services between Lahore and Faisalabad have been temporarily suspended after heavy rain and flash floods damaged a railway bridge near Qila Sattar Shah.
Pakistan Railways said that the floods damaged railway tracks between Qila Sheikhupura and Masan, making the route unsafe for trains.
The Karakoram Express (41 Up/42 Down) and Shalimar Express (27 Up/28 Down) will now use an alternative route through Raiwind, Sahiwal and Khanewal instead of the usual Faisalabad route.
Passengers travelling from Faisalabad on the Karakoram Express (42 Down) will be shifted to the Millat Express (18 Down) today.
Meanwhile, the Mianwali Express will run from Lahore to Sargodha through Wazirabad and Lala Musa until the route is restored.
