Mohsin Khan

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of a high probability of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in Gilgit-Baltistan due to sustained above-normal temperatures recorded between February 1 and 22.

According to the PMD’s February–April weather outlook, daytime temperatures in GB and Azad Jammu and Kashmir were recorded 3–5°C above normal, while nighttime temperatures remained 1–3.5°C above the 1981–2010 average. The highest warming was observed in Gilgit and Bunji, with reduced overnight refreezing reported in Chilas and Bunji.

The department cautioned that accelerated snow and glacier melt, particularly at mid to lower altitudes, could increase water accumulation in moraine- and glacier-dammed lakes, raising the risk of GLOF events in downstream areas including Gilgit, Ghizer, Hunza, Bunji, Chilas, and Astore.

Pakistan hosts over 13,000 glaciers — the largest concentration outside the polar regions — with experts warning that thousands in Chitral and GB are rapidly receding due to climate change.

Community Based-Disaster Risk Management Commettii Jageer Baseen Gilgit Agriculture Research Gilgit GB Climate Smart Agriculture Department of Social Welfare and Development (On-the-Job Training) Deputy Commissioner Gilgit Deputy Commissioner, Gilgit Agriculture Department Shigar GB Livestock & Dairy Develpment Gilgit-Baltistan