glacial lake outburst floods

Glaciers in the Golen valley of Chitral, Pakistan, are melting rapidly, forming unstable lakes that have triggered catastrophic glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in 2019 and 2020. These floods destroyed homes, infrastructure, and the Golen Gol hydropower project, displacing residents like Safia Bibi and threatening communities across the Hindu Kush. Data from Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) highlights over 80 dangerous glacial lakes in the region.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a glacial lake outburst flood (Glof) alert for Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to a westerly wave causing snow and ice melt, risking high river levels, new glacial lakes, and downstream flooding. Over 7.1 million people in these regions are vulnerable, with advisories urging residents to avoid riverbanks and monitor weather alerts.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a glacial lake outburst flood (Glof) alert for Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to persistently high temperatures, which are accelerating snow and ice melt. The alert warns of rising river levels, expanding glacial lakes, and increased risks of flash flooding, landslides, and debris flows. The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission identified 130 dangerous glacial lakes, while the KP health department established heatwave emergency units.

Pakistan has reduced the climate ministry’s budget allocation from Rs3.5bn to Rs2.48bn amid rising climate threats, including glacial lake outburst floods and El Niño-related risks. The article highlights the economic and social costs of climate inaction, such as disrupted agriculture, water shortages, and increased disaster recovery expenses.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a nationwide weather alert for Pakistan, warning of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, floods, and glacier-related flood risks over the next 24 hours. The alert includes specific regional forecasts for Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Sindh, with a separate Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) warning for mountainous areas. Authorities urge vigilance and preparedness, advising travelers to avoid northern regions during severe weather.

Suparco identified 130 potentially dangerous glacial lakes in Pakistan using satellite imagery, sharing risk assessments with disaster management authorities. The analysis highlights climate change's role in accelerating glacial melt and warns of potential glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) threatening downstream populations.