It advises residents in low-lying areas to remain alert as heavy rain increases fears of flash flooding and landslides.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Tuesday issued a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) alert for five upper districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), directed district administrations to take precautionary measures and advised residents of low-lying areas to remain alert.
According to the PDMA, glaciers may melt due to prevailing weather conditions in Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat and Upper Kohistan, adding that heavy rains could lead to glacial lake outbursts, flash floods and landslides in these regions.
The advisory mentions that scattered rain and thunderstorms, including isolated heavy downpours, are expected to affect vulnerable areas, increasing the risk of GLOF and flash flooding, where rising temperatures combined with rainfall can accelerate the melting of glaciers.
“District administrations have also been directed to conduct evacuation drills in at-risk communities and ensure that safe evacuation sites are fully stocked and operational. Authorities have been asked to ensure proactive monitoring of vulnerable glacial sites for timely early warnings and responses,” he said.
The PDMA advised residents in low-lying areas to remain alert, while local communities in vulnerable areas should be warned through effective communication systems, including community alerts.
The authority also ordered that emergency and rescue services personnel remain available, with the necessary machinery and equipment pre-positioned for a rapid response.
Read more: Snowfall, rain expected in KP as temperatures drop sharply
According to PDMA, a public awareness campaign has been launched, urging people to avoid unnecessary movements near streams, nullahs and rivers, and warning about the risk of vehicles being swept away by fast-flowing waters.
“Tourists and travelers have been advised to avoid unnecessary trips to sensitive areas. Authorities have been asked to maintain coordination with the National Highways Authority (NHA), Border Works Organization (FWO) and Department of Communications and Works (C&W) for timely restoration of roads in case of blockages,” he added.
In case of increased risk, controlled breaching of vulnerable glacial lakes can be carried out to prevent sudden explosions. The PDMA said its Emergency Operations Center remained operational 24 hours a day and directed officials to share regular updates. Citizens have been advised to contact the helpline (1700) in case of any emergency.
Also read: PMD forecasts heavy rain and thunderstorm in Balochistan, Punjab and KP
GLOF occurs when water from a glacier-fed lake is suddenly released, often due to the failure of a natural dam made of ice or debris. This rapid discharge can cause severe flooding downstream, causing damage to infrastructure, agriculture and communities in mountainous regions.
