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Pakistan issues warning over 'Glacial Flood Risks' amid rising temperatures

By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning about potential Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) across northern regions from March to September 2026, citing rising temperatures, changing weather patterns, and the possibility of an early heatwave.

Seasonal projections indicate accelerated snow and glacier melt in Gilgit-Baltistan and Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, increasing the likelihood of flash floods that could devastate communities downstream, said NDMA in a statement.

Vulnerable areas include Ahmad Abad, Faiz Abad, Ishkoman Valley, Gulkin Valley, Gulmit Valley, and Handis Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan, and Reshun, Kumrat, Yarkhun Valley, Lasht, Istach, Dizq, and Brep in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Potential impacts include damage to homes, infrastructure, agriculture, and communication networks, along with risks to human life.

The NDMA has urged provincial and local administrations to review contingency plans, strengthen early warning systems, and prepare evacuation measures.

Residents in at-risk areas are advised to stay vigilant, avoid glacial streams, and follow instructions from local authorities. The public can access timely alerts through official NDMA platforms and the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application.

Last year, Pakistan faced devastating floods that killed over 1,000 people and displaced thousands across the country.