Staff Correspondent
Peshawar, July 26, 2026: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) alert for several upper districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid rising temperatures and intermittent monsoon rains.
According to the PDMA, warmer weather and recurring rainfall are expected to accelerate glacier melting, increasing the volume of glacial lakes and raising the risk of sudden glacial lake outburst floods.
The alert has been issued for Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat, Upper Kohistan, and Mansehra, where district administrations have been placed on high alert.
Authorities have been directed to continuously monitor vulnerable glacial sites, ensure timely early warning systems, and prepare evacuation plans for at-risk communities. Local administrations have also been instructed to identify and ready safe shelters and conduct evacuation drills where necessary.
The PDMA has advised residents living in low-lying areas to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel near rivers, streams, glacial lakes, and narrow mountain valleys.
Tourists and travelers have also been urged to refrain from non-essential travel, camping, and trekking in vulnerable areas, warning that fast-flowing floodwaters could sweep away vehicles and pose serious risks to life and property.
The authority urged the public to follow official advisories and cooperate with local administrations to minimize the impact of any potential GLOF-related emergencies.