Northern areas at rising GLOF risk till Aug 24

ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (APP):The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), through its National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC), has issued a multi hazard alert for possible Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), flash floods, landslides and rising river flows till Aug  24, warning authorities and residents in vulnerable mountainous areas of Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and parts of Punjab to remain on high alert amid continued monsoon rains, rapid snow and glacier melt and rising temperatures.

The alert said sensitive mountainous areas of Gilgit Baltistan, KP and AJK could face sudden flooding and debris flows from Aug 18 to 23 due to glacier and snow melt, elevated temperatures and monsoon rainfall.

Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar, Shigar, Gilgit, Rondu, Tangir, Darel, Diamer, Astore, Skardu, Ghanche, Kharmang, Neelum Valley and adjoining areas have been identified as particularly vulnerable.

Several glacier systems and valleys, including Budsawat, Ishkoman, Hunarchi, Tersat Hindur, Ultar, Chanter, Gupis, Yasin, Sust, Arandu, Roshan, Haks, Chati Boi, Thalo 1 and 2, Reshun, Brep, Boni, Sardar Gol, Lasht, Pandoro Chat, Khaplu, Hisper Hopper, Gilgit, Gilmen, Batura, Shishper, Songhor, Roshan and Shimshal, have also been declared sensitive.

The NEOC has separately warned of landslides and rockfalls across vulnerable mountainous areas of Gilgit Baltistan from Aug 22 to 24.

In Hunza, Hassanabad, Murtazabad, Attabad, Shishkat, Shisper, Gilman, Gulmit, Gulkin, Hussainabad, Passu and Khyber have been identified as landslide prone areas.

In Nagar, the vulnerable locations include Hopper, Kunjokshal, Gutas, Samayar, Miachar, Pissan, Minapin, Ghulmet, Thol Nalot and Hesper.

In Astore, Tarashing, Rupal Valley and the Tarashing Rupal Road face a heightened landslide risk.

In Diamer, the Raikot to Tato corridor, Fairy Meadows Road, Thalichi to Jalipur route and the northern and northwestern mountain slopes of Nanga Parbat have been identified as vulnerable.

The Skardu Road between RD-20 and RD-80 has also been declared particularly sensitive to landslides.

The authority warned that landslides and rockfalls could block roads, disrupt traffic and sever links with vulnerable communities along mountainous roads, the Karakoram Highway and sensitive valleys.

Meanwhile, monsoon rains are expected to continue in upper parts of the country from Aug 18 to 21, with thunderstorms and isolated heavy rainfall forecast in parts of Punjab.

Urban flooding is possible in Narowal, Sialkot, Gujrat, Jhelum, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Lahore, Kasur, Faisalabad, Chiniot and Attock.

Thunderstorms and isolated heavy rainfall are also expected in upper areas of Gilgit Baltistan, KP and AJK, increasing the risk of rising river flows, flash floods in mountainous areas and flooding in nullahs and seasonal streams.

In KP, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Bajaur, Malakand, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Kohat, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Mohmand, Kurram, Hangu, South Waziristan, Karak and Lakki Marwat have been identified as vulnerable to flooding in rivers, streams and nullahs.

Sudden increases in flows are also possible in tributaries of the Kabul River.

In AJK, Bagh, Haveli, Poonch, Hattian, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Mirpur and Bhimber, along with Hunza and Astore in Gilgit Baltistan, have been declared sensitive due to the potential flood threat.

The NEOC has also issued an alert for increased flows in major rivers, with monsoon rains expected to persist across upper areas, Islamabad, KP, Kashmir and Punjab.

Medium flows are expected in the Indus River at Kalabagh, Chashma, Taunsa and Guddu; in the Jhelum River upstream of Mangla; and in the Chenab River at Marala, Khanki and Qadirabad.

Low to medium flows are expected in the Ravi at Balloki and Sidhnai and in the Kabul River at Nowshera.

Similar low to medium flows are expected in streams connected to the Ravi and Chenab rivers.

The NDMA has directed relevant authorities to keep emergency response teams and rescue resources ready, identify evacuation routes and ensure safe locations are designated for vulnerable populations.

The public has been advised to avoid unnecessary movement near glaciers, glacial streams, rivers, nullahs and other hazardous locations and immediately report any unusual water flow or sudden rise in water levels.

People have also been urged to avoid unnecessary travel to areas likely to be affected by flooding and to check the latest weather forecasts and road conditions before travelling.

The authority urged citizens to follow official safety instructions and completely avoid roads closed by the administration.

The public can also obtain timely alerts and emergency information through the NDMA’s official Pak NDMA Disaster Alert app.