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Children walk through a flooded street after Cyclone Gezani devastated the port city of Toamasina, Madagascar, on February 12. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday issued an urgent Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) alert, warning of possible flash floods and landslides in Gilgit-Baltistan and upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa from March 10 to 12.
The alert indicates that temperatures in the northern mountainous regions have remained above normal for the past few days.
A widespread weather wave expected to hit the region in the coming days is likely to accelerate glacial melting, particularly near glacier tips, increasing the risk of dangerous flash flooding.
Communities living in affected areas have been advised to remain alert and exercise extreme caution near rivers, streams and low-lying valleys.
Concerned authorities at the federal and provincial levels have been asked to take immediate precautionary measures to safeguard both lives and critical infrastructure.
The alert has been formally distributed to several key national agencies including the National Disaster Management Authority, Federal Flood Commission, Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority and KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority, among others. The PMD has urged all concerned agencies to remain on high alert and take all necessary measures to avoid any adverse situation during this critical three-day weather window.
