PESHAWAR (Kashmir English): The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday issued a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) alert for five upper districts of the province and directed district administrations to take precautionary measures.
The authority also advised residents in low-lying areas to remain alert during the mentioned period.
According to the PDMA, glaciers may melt due to prevailing weather conditions in Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat, and Upper Kohistan, adding that intense rainfall could trigger glacial lake outbursts, flash floods, and landslides in these regions.
The advisory mentioned that scattered rainfall 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 rainfall may accelerate glacier melt.
“District administrations have also been instructed to conduct evacuation drills in at-risk communities and ensure that safe evacuation sites are fully stocked and operational. Authorities have been asked to ensure proactive monitoring of vulnerable glacial sites for timely early warnings and responses,” it said.
The provincial authority has advised residents in low-lying areas to remain alert, while local communities in vulnerable areas must be forewarned through effective communication systems, including community-based alerts.
The authority also directed that emergency and rescue services personnel remain available, with necessary machinery and equipment for rapid response.
The PDMA said a public awareness campaign was launched, urging people to avoid unnecessary movement near streams, nullahs, and rivers. It also warned about the risk of vehicles being swept away in fast-flowing water.
“Tourists and travellers have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel to sensitive areas. Authorities have been asked to maintain coordination with the National Highway Authority (NHA), Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), and Communication and Works (C&W) Department for timely road restoration in case of blockages,” the PDMA said.
GLOF largely 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 agriculture, infrastructure, and communities in mountainous regions.
