PDMA Issues Glacial Flood Alert Across KPK Amid Rising Heat

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a high alert across multiple districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It warned of potential glacier melting and rising water levels driven by high temperatures and intermittent rainfall

The disaster authority has sent urgent warnings to the local administrations of several vulnerable northern districts:

• Chitral
• Upper Dir and Lower Dir
• Swat
• Upper Kohistan and Lower Kohistan
• Mansehra

Weather Forecast and Flood Risks

According to the PDMA, a weather spell featuring high heat and intermittent rain is forecast to last from August 31 until September 4. This combination increases the risk of rapid glacier melting. Because of it glacial lakes can swell and potentially trigger Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF).

Safety and Evacuation Orders

The PDMA has instructed local authorities to take immediate precautionary measures:

• Closely monitor GLOF sites to provide timely warnings.
• Inform residents living in low-lying areas about the dangers of rising water levels
• Keep safe evacuation locations prepared and ready to use.
• Conduct evacuation drills in high-risk zones so communities know how to respond in an emergency.