PESHAWAR – A sudden weather threat is putting travel plans to Pakistan’s northern areas under caution, as rising temperatures and rain increase the risk of flash floods. Authorities urged tourists to stay away from rivers, streams and vulnerable mountain valleys until conditions improve.
A fresh flood threat is looming over the mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as rising temperatures and intermittent rainfall increase the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has placed several vulnerable districts on alert until September 4, warning that accelerated glacier melting could raise water levels in glacial lakes and trigger sudden, potentially devastating flash floods in mountain valleys.
The warning covers Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat, Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan and Mansehra, where authorities have been ordered to closely monitor high-risk locations and remain ready for emergency evacuations.
In Mansehra, officials have sounded the alarm for communities living along rivers and streams. Additional Deputy Commissioner Asad Mehmood Lodhi warned that warmer conditions could speed up glacier melting in high-altitude areas, particularly around the Kaghan and Siran valleys.
Residents in vulnerable riverine areas have been urged to move towards safer locations if conditions worsen, while Rescue 1122 and tehsil administrations have been placed on standby.
The Upper Kohistan administration has separately issued a warning until September 4, telling families living near rivers and streams to stay away from water channels.
Livestock owners have also been advised to shift animals to higher ground as a precaution against sudden flooding.
Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain, strong winds and thunderstorms across parts of upper KP. Its flood outlook indicates that rainfall activity in upper KP and other northern catchments could continue through September 5, potentially pushing river flows to moderately higher levels.
Authorities are now urging residents and tourists to treat the warning seriously and avoid rivers, streams, glacial lakes and narrow mountain valleys.
Unnecessary camping and trekking in vulnerable areas should also be avoided during the alert period. Anyone facing an emergency can contact the PDMA Emergency Operations Centre on toll-free helpline 1700.
Officials are urging people not to wait for floodwaters to rise before moving to safety, as GLOF events can occur suddenly with little warning.
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