Northwestern province warns of glacial floods as Pakistan monsoon death toll rises to 107
Authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have issued urgent warnings regarding potential glacial lake outburst floods, urging residents and tourists to stay away from rivers, streams, and narrow mountain valleys.
The disaster alert follows persistent heavy monsoon rains that have killed at least 107 people and injured 344 others across the country since late June, with the heaviest casualties reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab due to flash floods, structural collapses, and electrocutions.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has highlighted specific high-risk northern districts, including Upper and Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat, Upper Kohistan, and Mansehra, where warm temperatures combined with intermittent rainfall are rapidly accelerating glacial melt.
Local administrations have been instructed to monitor vulnerable zones closely, with officials advising the public to watch for sudden changes in river water colour or unusual mountain sounds that could signal an imminent surge.