PMD Warns of Rising GLOF Risk in Northern Pakistan
News Desk
Islamabad/Lahore: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned that persistently above-normal temperatures in Gilgit-Baltistan during February could accelerate glacier melt and heighten the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in downstream valleys, while Lahore’s air quality has deteriorated to unhealthy levels.
In an advisory issued on Monday, PMD said rainfall and snowfall in northern Pakistan remained below normal this winter, contributing to stable atmospheric conditions and elevated temperatures across the region during the first 22 days of February 2026.
Daytime temperatures were recorded 3–5°C above normal, while nighttime temperatures remained 1–3.5°C higher than the 1981–2010 climatological average. The highest warming trends were observed in Gilgit and Bunji, with Chilas and Bunji also reporting notable increases in minimum temperatures.
According to the department, reduced nighttime cooling and sustained warmth are accelerating snow and glacier melt, particularly at mid to lower altitudes. Increased meltwater runoff into glacial lakes is raising the likelihood of GLOF events in vulnerable valleys, including Gilgit, Ghizar, Hunza, Bunji, Chilas and Astore.
The PMD’s February–April outlook indicates a high probability that above-normal temperatures will persist across northern Pakistan, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, potentially intensifying glacier melt and flood risks.
The department said it is closely monitoring temperature trends, glacier conditions and hydrometeorological indicators, and will issue timely advisories to authorities and local communities.
Meanwhile, in Lahore, the city recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 165, placing it in the “unhealthy” category. Monitoring data showed that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels were approximately 15.2 times higher than the annual guideline value set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Health experts cautioned that exposure to such pollution levels may cause breathing difficulties, eye and throat irritation, and worsen respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, particularly among children, the elderly and people with pre-existing illnesses.
