PMD issues advisory over GLOFs, flash floods and landslides in northern areas

Advises residents, visitors in snow-bound and glaciated valleys to stay away from riverbanks

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Web Desk July 11, 2026 2 min read

Flash flood inundates Mahabdri Bazaar and Munawar Nullah, damaging stores and goods in Balakot. Travelers wait on Kaghan Highway after its closure by a landslide. PHOTOS: ZULFIQAR ALI/EXPRESS

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The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Saturday issued a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) alert for Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), warning that a fresh westerly weather system expected next week could increase the risk of flooding, landslides and other hazards in glaciated valleys.

In an advisory shared by the PMD on X said, "A fresh westerly wave is likely to approach northern areas of Pakistan during the following week".

Under the influence of the system, "partly cloudy to cloudy weather with moderate to heavy rain/thundershowers is expected in G-B and K-P", it said.

The PMD said daytime temperatures were already running above normal in glaciated valleys and warned that "the combination of substantial warming and precipitation is likely to substantially accelerate snow and ice melt".

It said river water levels were likely to remain high, existing glacial lakes could rapidly expand and new glacial lakes could form because of increased volumes of meltwater.

According to the advisory, vulnerable downstream locations and low-lying areas adjacent to riverbeds may face "a high risk of sudden inundation", while there are also chances of flash flooding in vulnerable locations.

The department warned that the rapid expansion of glacial lakes could destabilise natural ice or moraine dams, "potentially triggering GLOF incidents".

It also cautioned that thawing permafrost, combined with excess surface water, could trigger heavy mud and debris flows down mountain slopes and increase the likelihood of landslides in steep terrain.

The PMD advised residents and visitors in snow-bound and glaciated valleys to stay away from riverbanks, stream beds and local nullahs, monitor water levels closely, and refrain from camping, trekking or staying near riverbanks, streams, glacial lakes and narrow mountain valleys.

Read: Rain, windstorms likely in upper parts

It also urged people to avoid steep slopes and unstable terrain where melting snow could trigger landslides or debris flows, and to "closely and continuously monitor weather forecasts and official advisories" issued by the department.

The advisory further called on disaster management authorities and relevant line departments to ensure "24/7 alertness" and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation.

It also urged authorities to rapidly disseminate the alert through all available communication channels, including SMS, social media platforms and local community networks.

"All concerned are advised to remain alert and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation," the PMD said.