ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a glacial lake outburst flooding (GLOF) alert for Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the mountainous northern region of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Floods in 2022, brought by record monsoon rains and glacial melt in northern mountains, killed over 1,700 people and impacted 33 million people out of a population of 220 million, sweeping away homes, vehicles, crops and livestock in damage estimated at $30 billion.
“National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) has warned of possible glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) in the mountainous regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan due to rising temperatures and expected heavy rainfall from July 17 to 23, 2024,” the NDMA said in a statement. “This may lead to increased water levels in local rivers and streams, landslides, and flash flooding.”
The disaster management authority said it had directed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority to coordinate with relevant departments to ensure necessary preparations and emergency response measures.
“Departments have been instructed to alert local communities, tourists, and travelers in the areas at risk and to avoid unnecessary travel. Mock drills should also be conducted in vulnerable areas to ensure timely evacuation and safety of people,” NDMA said.
The authority recently launched the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert application, available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store, to provide timely alerts, adviseries and guidelines to the public.
Earlier, Residents of Gilgit-Baltistan have been warned of possible Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (Glof) events and flash floods this week.An alert issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department on Monday stated that daytime temperatures in GB and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are expected to remain four to six degrees Celsius, higher than normal, between May 21 and 27, with wind and thunderstorms.
The atmospheric condition is likely to trigger a Glof event or flash floods in vulnerable snow-covered and glaciated areas of GB and Chitral district of KP.It advised the administration and local organisations and communities to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures.
In light of the alert, the Gilgit deputy commissioner, Ameer Azam Hamza, appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary travel during the extreme weather and not stand under billboards, electric wires and trees.A statement said the people living near glaciers should take precautionary measures. Tourists have been advised to be careful during rains.
In 2022, flash floods and Glofs hit many villages in Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Astore, Skardu, and Gilgit districts of GB.
