Pakistan issued warnings on Saturday about potential glacial flooding in its northwestern regions, as forecasts predict continued rainfall in the coming week.
Rainfall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been significantly heavier than during the same period last year, prompting weather alerts and advisories for glacial lake outburst floods, according to Anwar Shahzad, spokesperson for the provincial disaster management authority.
In a letter circulated in mid-July, the authority warned that "persistent high temperatures may accelerate snow and glacier melt," increasing the risk of severe weather events in vulnerable mountainous areas.
Dr. Abdul Samad from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department said more than 500 tourists were evacuated from the town of Naran after an overnight cloudburst on Friday caused road blockages. Heavy machinery was deployed to clear debris and restore access.
In neighboring Gilgit-Baltistan, the government has distributed emergency aid—hundreds of tents, thousands of food packages, and medical supplies—to flood-affected communities.
"There is severe destruction in some areas, with significant damage to homes, roads, crops, and businesses," said Faizullah Firaq, a spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan government.
Rescue operations were ongoing on the Babusar Highway, where floods impacted nine villages. Helicopters were also used to rescue tourists stranded in Fairy Meadows, a popular mountain destination.
This monsoon season, Pakistan has experienced above-average rainfall, raising fears of a repeat of the catastrophic 2022 floods that submerged one-third of the country and claimed 1,737 lives. So far this year, around 260 people have died during the ongoing season, which lasts until mid-September.
Despite being among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, Pakistan contributes very little to global greenhouse gas emissions.