It was Ulter Glacier collapse: Met Office rejects reports of snowfall in Hunza
Official statement describes climate-driven glacier collapse causes confusion in Hunza Valley: Urges public to avoid sharing unverified weather claims
Pakistan’s Meteorological Department has rejected social media reports claiming that snowfall occurred in Hunza Valley on 24 November 2025.
It clarified that the event witnessed by residents resulted from a massive avalanche caused by the collapse of the Ulter Glacier, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Monday.
In a statement, the department said misleading posts circulated on several platforms wrongly described the incident as snowfall near Karimabad.
The department explained that the glacier’s sudden break generated powerful, snow-filled winds and dense clouds, scattering fine ice particles across the valley.
The Met Office further stated that the resulting drop in visibility created the false impression of a winter storm and snowfall.
The Met Office urged the public to rely solely on official updates and avoid spreading unverified weather information online.
According to media reports, a large section of the Ulter Glacier broke off a week ago, on November 24, triggering a significant avalanche, an unusual occurrence given that avalanches in the region typically happen in March and April.
Residents reported intense winds and unusual atmospheric conditions following the collapse.
Early reports indicated no casualties, though experts highlighted the event as another indication of the accelerating effects of climate change on northern Pakistan’s glaciers.
The incident follows a series of climate-linked glacial lake outburst floods across Gilgit-Baltistan during 2025.
A major GLOF in August blocked the Ghizer River and destroyed hundreds of homes in Rawshan, Tildas and surrounding villages, though no fatalities occurred thanks to an effective early-warning system.
Another GLOF from the Shishper Glacier eroded Hassanabad Nullah, damaging sections of the Karakoram Highway, while a glacier burst in Bagrot Valley in August, causing one death.
Pakistan hosts more than 13,000 glaciers, many of which are rapidly retreating due to rising temperatures, increasing the risk of avalanches, glacier bursts and GLOFs across the northern mountainous region.
Reporter: Rozina Ali