ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of possible glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), landslides and heavy rainfall in northern regions from May 26 to 31, urging tourists and travelers to remain cautious.
Pakistan ranks among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, with extreme weather events such as floods, heavy rains and glacier-related disasters causing repeated devastation in recent years.
More than 1,000 people were killed last year after intense monsoon rains and excess water released from Indian dams triggered flash floods across several parts of the country.
“In northern areas, rising temperatures and rapidly melting glaciers are increasing risks,” the NDMA said in a statement issued on Friday.
The authority warned that GLOFs, landslides and rising water levels in rivers and streams could affect several northern districts, while rainfall may also disrupt road connectivity.
According to the NDMA, mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir face a heightened risk of landslides.
Authorities identified roads linking Shimshal Valley, Attabad Lake, Karimabad, Gulmit, Shishkat Bala and Passu as particularly vulnerable. Shigar Valley Road, Skardu Road, Deosai Road, Naran Road and the Karakoram Highway could also face closures due to landslides.
Flood-like conditions may impact Hunza, Ghizer, Diamer, Astore, Ghanche, Shigar, Kharmang, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Sudhanoti, Chitral, Dir, Swat and Kohistan.
The NDMA forecast rain, thunderstorms and possible hailstorms in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from May 26–31, including in Chitral, Dir, Mingora, Hangu, Swat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur and Parachinar.
Similar weather conditions are expected in Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Astore, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Kotli and Bhimber during the same period.
In Punjab, rain and thunderstorms are likely from May 28–31 in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sahiwal, Okara, Faisalabad, Kasur, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Multan.
Balochistan is expected to receive rain from May 30–31 in Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Chaman, Khuzdar and Turbat, while Sindh may experience strong winds and thunderstorms in Thatta, Badin, Mithi, Hyderabad and Karachi.
The NDMA directed authorities to remain on alert in vulnerable highways and mountainous regions and advised tourists to check weather and road conditions before traveling to northern areas.
Also Read: Heavy Rain, Hailstorms to Hit Parts of Pakistan
Pakistan has repeatedly called on developed nations to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund to help climate-vulnerable countries cope with increasingly frequent natural disasters, despite contributing only around one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
