The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued an alert for glacial lake outburst floods (Glof) for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, it emerged on Monday.

According to the alert issued by the PMD on Sunday night, a moderate westerly wave was expected to enter the upper regions of the country. It said that the weather system was expected to hit KP and extend to Gilgit-Baltistan by Monday.

During this period, the department predicted widespread rain and wind-thunderstorms, with isolated heavy falls in mountainous catchments.

“The weather patterns significantly elevated the risk of Glofs, debris flow, and flash flooding in vulnerable areas, especially in Swat, lower Chitral, Dir, Upper Hazara, Kohistan, Hoper, Ghulkin, Shishper, Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar, Ghanche, Shigar and Astore,” it said

The Met department advised people in glacial valleys to avoid proximity to riverbanks and stream beds during the rainfall; monitor local nullahs for sudden changes in water colour (muddiness) or unusual sounds (grinding rocks); and secure livestock and essentials on higher ground.

It also directed the disaster management authorities to ensure round-the-clock preparedness and maintain active communication with technical focal persons in remote valleys. Authorities were also asked to disseminate weather alerts through text message and social media platforms to ensure timely public awareness.

“All concerned departments and residents of vulnerable areas have been urged to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period,” it said.

Separately, the KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued instructions to the deputy commissioners of Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat, Upper Kohistan and Mansehra.

It directed the officials to undertake proactive monitoring and surveillance of vulnerable Glof sites to ensure timely early warning and response.

The district administrations were also told to conduct evacuation drills in at-risk communities to ensure full preparedness and to ensure that safe evacuation sites were fully stocked and ready for utilisation.

They were also asked to alert the population residing in low-lying areas, ensure that the communities in vulnerable areas were forewarned and ensure the availability of rescue personnel.

It also advised local residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary movement near streams, waterways and rivers. The authority directed people living in low-lying areas to remain alert and move to safer locations in case of an emergency. The PDMA urged people to immediately move to safe places if they noticed sudden changes in water flow or heard mudslides or falling rocks.

It also directed the district administrations to coordinate with the departments concerned for the timely restoration of roads in case of any blockage. “In case of heightened risk, controlled breaching of vulnerable Glof sites may be coordinated with the concerned departments, to prevent sudden outburst events,” it said.