PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Friday warned the administrations of five districts about the high risk of glacial lake outburst floods due to a significant rise in temperatures and upcoming weather system.

In an advisory issued to the deputy commissioners of Upper and Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat and Upper Kohistan, the PDMA said that Pakistan Meteorological Department had formally informed it that as there was a significant rise in temperatures and upcoming weather system in northern parts of the country, the risk of Glofs was very likely to increase in glaciated areas of the province.

“The persistent high temperatures may accelerate snow and glacier melt and subsequent weather events, potentially triggering Glofs and flash floods in vulnerable valleys and surrounding regions in the current and upcoming week,” it said.

The PDMA said that in view of the above weather conditions, you are requested to kindly take all necessary precautionary measures to avoid any loss of human and animal life and damage to infrastructure and crops.

It urged authorities to undertake proactive monitoring and surveillance of vulnerable Glof sites to ensure timely early warning and response, conduct evacuation drills in at-risk communities to ensure full preparedness and ensure that safe evacuation sites are fully stocked and ready for utilisation in case of any eventuality.

The PDMA also called for the availability of necessary emergency equipment for rapid response in case of any eventuality, launch of mass awareness campaign about Glofs in at-risk areas, risk of the washing away of vehicles in water channels, and introduction of a community-based alert system for the people in low-lying areas.

It asked authorities to prepare evacuation plans for at-risk communities and its timely execution and issuance of warning to visitors to at-risk and vulnerable areas about travel risks.

The PDMA saidthe district administrations should coordinate with National Highway Authority, Frontier Works Organisation and the communication and works department for the timely restoration of roads in case of blockage, obstruction and damage.

It said that in case of heightened risk, controlled breaching of vulnerable Glof sites could be coordinated with the relevant departments to prevent sudden outburst events.

Last Wednesday, the PDMA alerted the district administrations across the province to the possibility of a new rain spell across the province from July 5 to 11.

In an advisory issued to the deputy commissioners across the province, it quoted the PMD as informing that moist currents were penetrating into most parts of the region and likely to become intensified in the next couple of days.

“A westerly wave is also expected to approach on July 5 evening or night. Under the influence of these weather system and rain showers with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds with isolated/scattered heavy falls (at times very heavy) are expected in Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Buner, Malakand, Battagram, Shangla, Kohistan, Kolai Pallas Kohistan, Torghar, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Charsadda, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Kohat, Hangu, Bannu, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, and North and South Waziristan from July 5 to July 11 with occasional gaps,” it said.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2025