PMD issues GLOF alert for G-B, K-P

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KARACHI:

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (Glof) alert for Gilgit-Baltistan and parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, warning of heightened risks due to an incoming weather system.

According to the advisory, a moderate westerly wave is expected to enter the upper parts of Pakistan from May 3 (today) bringing widespread rain, windstorms, thunderstorms and isolated heavy downpours in the northern region.

The PMD also issued a heatwave alert for Karachi and several districts across Sindh on Saturday, warning that temperatures in the city could exceed 41°C on Monday and reach 40°C on Sunday. Hot, very hot and dry weather is expected to prevail in most parts of the province.

Karachi may also experience its hottest day on Saturday, with the "feels-like" temperature expected to reach up to 50°C. While the temperature in the city may reach up to 38°C on Saturday, and up to 40°C in suburban areas, the "feels-like" temperature during the afternoon is expected to range between 49°C and 50°C.

The department said that a sudden rise in temperatures, followed by heavy rainfall, could significantly increase the likelihood of Glof, triggering debris flows and flash flooding in at-risk areas, particularly Hunza Valley, Nagar, Ghizer, Ghanche, Upper District, and Astore District, among others.

Residents in glaciated valleys are advised to avoid proximity to riverbanks and stream beds during rainfall and secure livestock and essentials in higher safe grounds. They have been asked to disseminate the alert via SMS and social media.

The PMD alert also advised residents to monitor nullahs for sudden changes in water colour, indicating muddiness, or unusual sounds that could indicate grinding rocks.

It directed them to coordinate closely with Commu-nity-Based Disaster Risk Management Committees. It directed the disaster management authorities to ensure round-the-clock alertness and maintain active communication links with technical focal persons in remote valleys.