MANSEHRA: The Upper Kohistan deputy commissioner has asked residents to stay away from rivers, streams and other water bodies due to the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (Glofs) amid the ongoing heatwave.

“According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority’s advisory issued on Saturday, flash floods, landslides and mudslides could occur due to the rapid melting of glaciers,” deputy commissioner Azizullah Jan told reporters.

“I appeal to people living in mountainous areas and along riversides to remain vigilant and avoid going near riverbeds for their own safety,” Mr Jan said.

He said that residents of Kandia, where Glof early warning systems had already been installed, should strictly follow precautionary measures, as they had been sensitised and trained to respond to such emergencies.

Tourists urged to avoid trips to hilly resorts

“The Glof threat may persist until the first week of next month. During this period, people should avoid unnecessary travel to mountainous areas to minimise the risk of accidents,” Mr Jan said.

The deputy commissioner also advised residents to move their livestock to safer locations.

“I would also advise tourists to avoid planning trips to hilly resorts during the Glof warning period, as rapidly melting glaciers have increased the flow of rivers and streams, raising the risk of flash floods, landslides and mudslides,” Mr Jan said.

He added that Rescue 1122 and other relevant departments had been placed on high alert to respond to any emergency arising from the Glof threat.

TOURIST INFLUX: Around 150,000 tourists visited Kaghan Valley during the public holidays between June 25 and 27 to escape the scorching heat in the country’s lower regions,” Balakot assistant commissioner Hasrat Khan told reporters. He added that hotels operated at full capacity and traffic on Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road remained clogged.

The popular tourist attractions of Lake Saiful Muluk and Babusar Top also witnessed a record number of visitors.

The regular and tourism police were deployed along the banks of Kunhar River to prevent tourists from venturing too close to the waters.

SP traffic Jehanzeb Khan said that, though a record number of vehicles entered Kaghan through Balakot, traffic wardens deployed at key locations effectively managed the traffic.

VACANT POSTS: The Pakistan Peoples Party, Women’s Wing, has urged the provincial government to fill vacant teachers’ posts in schools and order the reopening of the Benazir Income Support Programme office in Pulrah tehsil.

Speaking to reporters, Raisa Khan, an office-bearer of the PPP Women’s Wing in Hazara, said the closure of the BISP office had forced beneficiaries to travel to Mansehra at great cost to receive financial assistance.

“Almost all educational institutions in our area have been facing a shortage of teaching staff for decades,” Ms Khan said.

She said Government Higher Secondary School, Pulrah, is facing an acute shortage of science teachers, and its intermediate section has yet to be made functional. She added building of the Government Girls High School, Mat Sarian, remained under-construction for nearly a decade.

“The only Government Girls Degree College, Perhana, also faces a shortage of faculty members and lacks space to accommodate students enrolled in bachelor’s programmes,” Ms Khan said.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2026