Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral put on flood alert

ISLAMABAD - The Met Office has issued an alert for Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral regions, forecasting a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF).

“Due to persistent heat wave conditions in Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral, the temperatures are likely to increase by more than 5C from normal, which may continue for next three to four days,” the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Thursday.

“Melt rate will enhance due to high temperatures and expected localised heavy downpour which may trigger glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) events in Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral areas,” it said.

People residing along the water ways must remain vigilant during the period, as the region is under the grip of unusual heat for the last few days.

Synoptic Situation:

Seasonal low lies over northeast Balochistan. Monsoon currents are penetrating  upper/central parts of country and likely to continue in upper parts during next 24 hours.

Next 24 hrs:

Rain-thunderstorm (with a few heavy falls) is expected at scattered places in Kashmir, upper Punjab (Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha, divisions), Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, KP (Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu divisions) and FATA. Hot and humid weather is expected elsewhere in the country.

Next 48 hrs:

Mainly hot and humid weather is expected in the  most parts of the country. However, rain-thunderstorm is expected at isolated places in Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala divisions, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan Kashmir.-Online