Pakistan Issues Warning Over Potential Glacial Floods

Pakistan has issued a warning of possible glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in the country's northwestern regions, as heavy monsoon rainfall continues and more downpours are forecast for the coming week.

According to Anwar Shehzad, a spokesperson for the provincial disaster management authority, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has witnessed significantly heavier rainfall this season compared to the same period last year.

The intensified weather patterns have prompted a series of alerts, with particular concern over glacial floods triggered by the sudden bursting of ice-dammed lakes.

An official letter issued by the authority in mid-July stated that the ongoing rise in temperatures could accelerate the melting of snow and glaciers, potentially setting off dangerous weather events in vulnerable mountainous areas.

Pakistan, home to some of the world’s largest glaciers outside the polar regions, remains increasingly vulnerable to the impact of climate change.

The combination of high temperatures and heavier-than-usual rainfall is raising the risk of sudden flooding in regions where communities and infrastructure are often ill-equipped to cope with extreme events.