Chilas breaks 28-year heat record as temperature hits 49°C

Chilas in Gilgit-Baltistan recorded the highest temperature in the country today at a scorching 49°C, breaking a 28-year-old record, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

Previously, the highest temperature ever recorded in Chilas was 47.7°C on July 17, 1997, but today’s extreme heat has set a new benchmark, raising alarms about the environmental consequences in the region, especially regarding glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).

The Met Office reported that hot and humid weather gripped most parts of the country in the last 24 hours, with several high-altitude regions also sweltering under unusually high temperatures. Temperatures reached: 42°C in Gilgit and Chitral, 40°C in Muzaffarabad, 39°C in Hunza, Dir, and Quetta, 38°C in Skardu, 37°C in Astore and 33°C in Abbottabad.

The rising heat, especially in snow-covered and glaciated regions, has significantly increased the risk of glacial lake bursts, which could trigger flash floods in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Meteorological Department has issued a warning for the coming days and next week, stating that persistently high temperatures may accelerate the melting of glaciers, putting nearby communities at risk of sudden flooding and infrastructure damage.

Authorities have been urged to stay on high alert, and residents in vulnerable areas are advised to remain cautious and prepared for potential emergency situations.