ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Monday issued an alert regarding the risk of flooding, landslides, and flash floods due to potential Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
In a statement, the NDMA’s National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) said that there is a risk of flash floods and debris flows in the sensitive mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Kashmir from August 17 to 23.
“The prevailing combination of continued seasonal glacier and snowmelt, elevated temperatures, and monsoon-driven rainfall and thunderstorm activity may generate rapid runoff, sudden increases in stream discharge, and instability of glacial lakes in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Kashmir from today to Saturday next,” it stated.
The NEOC alerted that extra caution is required in Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar, Shigar, Gilgit, Rondu, Tangir, Darel, Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Ghanche, Kharmang, Neelum Valley, and surrounding areas.
Similarly, the current wet spell is expected to continue in the upper catchments of all the major rivers as well as in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Punjab. River flows are expected to increase across all major river systems.
“Scattered rain, wind, and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls are expected in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Kashmir.”
The NDMA also alerted to a landslide threat across vulnerable mountainous corridors of Gilgit-Baltistan from August 22 to 24.
The NEOC has advised the local authorities and travelers to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel along landslide-prone mountainous roads and adjoining routes.
