NDMA issues alert as rapid glacier melt triggers floods across GB

WORKERS pull out a power pylon that fell into the river in Ghanche district. —Photo by the writer GILGIT: Rapid glacier melting has deepened the crisis in Gilgit-Baltistan, with rising temperatures sharply increasing water discharge and mudflow in rivers and streams, causing widespread damage in downstream areas. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday is-sued a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (Glof) alert for the Hoper and Hisper valleys in Nagar district. Authorities said the ongoing heatwave across Gilgit-Baltistan has accelerated glacier melt, leading to swelling rivers and streams. Floods and mudslides damaged link roads, bridges, electricity infrastructure, agricultural land and public and private property in several remote areas. KKH blocked, many roads and bridges damaged as heatwave accelerates melting of glaciers According to the district ad­­ministration, rising water levels in streams and rivers in Gha­­nche district damaged sev­­eral link roads and bridges. A suspension bridge over the Hushe Nallah was submerged, cutting off access for local com­munities. Flooding also blo­­ck­­ed the Siachen, Chorbat and Ghowari roads, although the Sia­chen and Chorbat roads were later reopened temporarily. Deputy Commissioner Ghanche Waliullah Fallahi said the situation was under control and heavy machinery had been deployed to restore damaged roads and bridges. A flash flood also blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH) at the Ghoor Hill section near the Khunjerab Pass on the Pakistan-China border, disrupting cross-border traffic. Police said a large number of passengers, including domestic and foreign tourists, as well as cargo vehicles, remained stranded for several hours before traffic was restored. In Ghizer district, flooding damaged homes, crops and link roads in Matramdan village in Ishkoman valley and disrupted electricity supply. Authorities also expressed concern over the rising water level in an artificial lake formed by last year’s floods, fearing it could inundate nearby houses. River erosion continued in Maulaabad village, where the river changed course and ente­red several homes. Rising wat­er levels in the Ishkoman River also threatened a newly cons­t­r­ucted bridge linking Chat­o­rk­hand and Dain villages, pro­m­­p­t­­ing residents to demand im­­mediate protective measures. Residents in downstream areas fear further Glof events and flash floods as rising water levels and heavy mudflow continue to threaten lives and property. Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 Gilgit-Baltistan issued a public advisory warning that intense heat, coupled with a westerly weather system, had accelerated glacier melting, increasing the risk of Glofs, flash floods, landslides and damage to roads and bridges. The advisory urged residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel during adverse weather, stay away from rivers, streams, glaciers and fast-flowing water, and refrain from bathing, fishing, taking selfies or collecting wood near riverbanks. It also advised against attempting to cross flooded roads, drains or streams and urged parents not to allow children near rivers or other hazardous areas. The advisory warned that floods and glacial lake outbu­rst floods could occur without warning and stressed that precaution was the best protection. In its alert, the NDMA said hydrometeorological conditio­­ns indicated a significant inc­rease in river discharge in the Hisper-Hoper Nallah catchm­ent due to rising temperatures and ongoing precipitation. The authority warned that the area faced the risk of rapid glacier and snowmelt, flash flo­­ods, debris flows, severe riverbank erosion and damage to roads, bridges, irrigation chan­­­­nels and other infrastructure. It also cautioned that down­stream communities could face increased risks and transport links could be disrupted. Local residents urged the government to take immediate measures to protect vulnerable communities living downstre­­am from Glofs and flooding. Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2026

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