KP PDMA warns of GLOFs, flash floods amid rising heat and untimely rains

• Provincial authority issues alert for Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan and Mansehra districts

• Says rapid snowmelt raises risk of glacial lake outburst floods, advising public to avoid rivers and fast-flowing water channels

• Authorities directed to activate warnings, evacuation and monitoring systems

 PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Saturday issued a warning of possible glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and flash flooding across the province amid untimely rains and rising temperatures.

Pakistan, one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, has in recent years faced extreme weather events including heavy rainfall, flash floods, heatwaves, droughts, and GLOF incidents that have caused widespread destruction.

پی ڈی ایم اے خیبرپختونخوا نے گلیشیائی جھیلوں کے پھٹنے اور اچانک سیلابی صورتحال کے خدشے کے پیش نظر اپر و لوئر چترال، اپر و لوئر دیر، سوات، اپر و لوئر کوہستان اور مانسہرہ
کے ڈپٹی کمشنرز کو الرٹ جاری کر دیا۔@GovernmentKP @CSKPOfficial @infokpgovt @KPChiefMinister @Arifulah86 pic.twitter.com/UZbgo5UeA7

— PDMAKP OFFICIAL (@PDMAKP) June 13, 2026

In recent weeks, parts of the country have experienced intense heat, with daytime temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. The rising temperatures are accelerating snowmelt, while rainfall in several districts may lead to overflow of glacial lakes.

The PDMA issued an alert for Upper and Lower Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, Swat, Upper and Lower Kohistan, and Mansehra, warning of potential flood, landslide, rockfall, and mudslide risks in these areas.

“Due to severe heat and rainfall, glaciers and snow in northern districts are melting rapidly,” the authority said. “The increased water flow caused by rainfall has raised the risk of GLOFs and flash floods.”

The PDMA said sudden surges in streams and rivers could trigger flooding in low-lying areas, adding that district administrations had been directed to continuously monitor vulnerable locations.

It said local authorities had also been instructed to issue timely warnings in high-risk areas, conduct evacuation drills, ensure availability of essential supplies at safe locations, activate alert systems, and strengthen coordination with local disaster management committees.

The authority advised the public to avoid rivers, streams, and fast-flowing water channels during the heatwave and to refrain from unnecessary travel.

Separately, five people were killed and 23 injured in rain-related incidents in Punjab this week, according to rescue officials. At least 1,000 people were killed last year when intense monsoon rains, combined with excess water released from Indian dams, triggered widespread flooding across the country.