Glof | Pakistan

• Flood blocks Ghizer River for several hours, creating artificial lake • Over 330 households affected across six villages; no casualties reported • Dozens of homes, acres of farmland, bridges and trees submerged • GB CM orders immediate rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure GILGIT: A glacial lake outburst flood (Glof) caused widespread devastation in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghizer Valley early on Friday mor­n­ing, but the quick thinking of a local shepherd helped avert a human tragedy. According to Rescue 1122, the flood, triggered by a burst from a glacier in the Tildas village of Gupis Valley, occurred at around 3am, wreaking havoc downstream. The flood debris blocked the Ghizer River for several hours, significantly raising the risk of further flooding in adjacent areas. Gilgit-Bal­t­istan Secretary Fida Hussain explained that a gla­cial lake had formed above Tildas and Rawshan villages. The high temperatures led to the burst of the lake, causing a flash flood in Sado Nallah on Wednesday night. A shepherd, ...

PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) alert for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) given the forecast for heavy and intermittent rains next week. The PDMA has advised residents of Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Lower Dir, Swat, and Upper Kohistan to remain particularly cautious, warning that heavy rains may […]

ISLAMABAD: The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday issued multiple impact-based weather alerts in response to intensifying monsoon conditions and the arrival of a fresh westerly wave across the country. Moist monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea are currently penetrating Sindh and the upper regions of Pakistan, […]

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) warned on Friday that the risk of glacial lake outburst flood (Glof) has increased in the glacial areas of the province due to heavy rains and flash floods. Glof refers to the sudden release of water and debris from a glacial lake, leading to the loss of lives, property and livelihoods in mountain communities. Over 7.1 million people in Gilgit Baltistan and KP are vulnerable, according to the Ministry of Climate Change. In an advisory issued today, the PDMA warned that continuous increase in temperature increases the possibility of melting of glaciers and flash floods. “The residents of Chitral, Dir, Swat and Kohistan have been instructed to remain alert about possible glacial outbursts. The district administration has been instructed to monitor sensitive areas, ensure timely warning and evacuation drills,” the disaster management agency said. The PDMA has advised residents to avoid unnecessary movement near rivers and canals and refrain f...

A flash flood in the Burundubar stream near Attabad Lake blocks access to the Luxus resort.—Photo by the writer GILGIT: NDMA’s Nat­ional Emergencies Ope­ration Centre (NEOC) on Wednesday issued a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (Glof) alert for northern areas, including Gilgit-Baltistan, citing a dangerous combination of persistent high temperatures, intensified monsoon currents and a prevailing westerly wave. The alert comes as current heatwaves intensify glacier melting across the region, leading to increased water levels and flash floods creating disasters in downstream areas. A flash flood triggered on Wednesday by a melting glacier occurred in the Burundubar stream, which flows into the famous tourist point Attabad Lake, according to Rescue 1122. The floodwater blocked access to the Luxus hotel, entering its premises where “a large number of national and foreign tourists were present”. 160 evacuated by boat after flash flooding near Attabad Lake More than 160 tourists and hotel staff were evacuated by boat. ...