KARACHI – The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has released its monsoon outlook for the Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Himalaya (HKH) region, warning that above-normal temperatures could accelerate glacier and snow melt, increasing the risk of flooding in northern Pakistan.
The PMD said that the monsoon rainfall across the country’s northern regions is expected to remain close to the seasonal average. Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are likely to receive normal rainfall during the monsoon season.
Despite the expected normal rainfall, the department warned that temperatures in the Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Himalaya are forecast to remain above normal. The warmer conditions could speed up the melting of glaciers and snow, raising the likelihood of flash floods and higher water flows in rivers and streams.
The PMD further cautioned that heavy rainfall may trigger landslides and mudslides in mountainous areas. It also warned of the possibility of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in high-altitude and environmentally sensitive regions.
In light of the potential flood risk, the meteorological department has urged residents living near rivers, streams and seasonal waterways to remain alert and take necessary precautionary measures throughout the monsoon season.
