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Children wade through a flooded street after Cyclone Gezani devastated the port city of Toamasina, Madagascar, on February 12. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday issued an urgent Glacial Lake Flood (GLOF) alert, warning of possible flash floods and landslides in Gilgit-Baltistan and upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa from March 10 to 12.
The alert said temperatures in northern mountainous regions remained above normal over the past few days.
A widespread weather surge expected in the region in the coming days is likely to accelerate the melting of glaciers, particularly near their ends, increasing the risk of dangerous flash flooding.
Communities living in affected areas have been advised to remain vigilant and exercise extreme caution near rivers, streams and low-lying valleys.
Concerned authorities at the federal and provincial levels have been called upon to take immediate precautionary measures to protect lives and critical infrastructure.
The alert was officially distributed to a number of key national agencies, including the National Disaster Management Authority, Federal Flood Commission, Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority and KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority, among others. The PMD urged all concerned agencies to remain on alert and take all necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation during this critical three-day weather window.
