PESHAWAR, June 13, 2026 — The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has issued a high alert to deputy commissioners of eight vulnerable northern districts amid growing fears of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) and sudden flash flooding across the province’s mountainous belt.
Extreme heat triggers rapid glacier melting
The authority has warned that an intense heatwave combined with heavy rainfall has accelerated the melting of glaciers and snowpacks across the northern districts at an alarming rate. The surge in meltwater, compounded by monsoon rains, has significantly raised the risk of GLOF events and flash floods in the region.
Also Read: Peshawar High Court Bans Glacier Ice Harvesting in Northern Areas
The districts placed on high alert include Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Swat, Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan and Mansehra — all home to vast glacial valleys and high-altitude water bodies.
PDMA warns of landslides, road disruptions
According to the PDMA, the glacial valleys of Swat, Chitral, Kohistan, Dir and Mansehra face multiple hazards, including:
- Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF)
- Landslides and mudslides
- Rockfalls and debris flows
- Damage to road networks and communication links
The authority has also cautioned that sudden surges in streams, nullahs and rivers could trigger severe flooding in low-lying areas, putting vulnerable communities at serious risk.
Also Read: Climate cascade: Melting glaciers, urban smog push country toward environmental crisis
District administrations ordered to activate emergency measures
The PDMA has directed all district administrations in the affected zones to take immediate precautionary steps. These directives include:
- Issuing timely early warnings to populations in high-risk areas
- Conducting evacuation drills in vulnerable communities
- Pre-positioning essential relief supplies at designated safe locations
- Maintaining continuous surveillance of sensitive and flood-prone sites
- Activating community alert systems and maintaining close coordination with local disaster management committees
- Alerting residents in low-lying areas well in advance of any potential flooding
Public urged to avoid riverbanks, waterways
The PDMA has strongly advised the general public to stay away from riverbanks, seasonal streams and areas with fast-flowing water during the ongoing heatwave. The authority has warned that rising temperatures increase the unpredictability of water flows, making such locations extremely dangerous.
Also Read: PDMA Issues GLOF Alert in KP as Melting Glaciers Threaten Five Districts
Tourists warned against unnecessary travel
The disaster management body has also issued a specific advisory for tourists and travellers, urging them to avoid unnecessary travel to sensitive northern areas and exercise extreme caution if travel is unavoidable. The warning comes at a time when northern Pakistan typically sees a surge in domestic tourism during the summer season.
Rescue, highway agencies placed on standby
The PDMA has directed Rescue 1122, the Communication and Works Department (C&W), the National Highway Authority (NHA) and all other relevant agencies to remain on full alert. These organisations have been ordered to pre-deploy heavy machinery and trained personnel at strategic locations to ensure a swift response to any emergency.
The PDMA spokesperson has confirmed that the authority’s Emergency Operations Centre is fully operational around the clock and is actively monitoring the evolving situation across all vulnerable districts.
The public has been urged to immediately report any untoward incident or emergency to the PDMA helpline at 1700.
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