A glacier burst has caused serious damage in northern Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday morning. More than one hundred houses were damaged in affected villages after sudden flooding.
This glacier burst is also known as a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood event in simple terms. It happens when water suddenly escapes from a melting glacier lake quickly.
The incident occurred in Rowshan and Talidas areas of Ghizer district early morning. The flood started around three am and spread quickly across nearby villages.
A large lake about eight kilometers wide has formed after the glacier burst. The water caused heavy destruction and blocked the main road in Ghizer district.
According to officials, one kilometer of road was completely damaged by flooding. Local volunteers and authorities helped rescue many people from dangerous flood areas.
The Pakistan Army and local teams supported rescue and relief operations quickly. Helicopters were used to evacuate stranded people from remote and flooded locations. Glacier Burst and Landslides cause Damage Homes and Trigger Mass Evacuations
Officials said sixty three schools in downstream areas were safely evacuated earlier. Emergency teams are providing clean drinking water to people in affected villages.
Relief items like tents and supplies have been requested for displaced families. Authorities are continuing efforts to support victims and restore basic facilities quickly.
Heavy monsoon rains have worsened the situation in northern mountainous regions recently. Since late June, over seven hundred seventy people have died across Pakistan.
The National Disaster Management Authority reported dozens of deaths in northern areas recently. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported the highest number of deaths during this season.
Pakistan is among the countries most affected by global climate change impacts today. However, it contributes less than one percent to total global emissions worldwide.
Monsoon rains are important for farming but often bring floods and landslides. This week, heavy rains also caused urban flooding in Karachi city areas.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued warnings about more heavy rainfall expected soon. Strong winds and thunderstorms are predicted in many upper and central regions.
Flash floods may occur in several northern areas including Swat and Chitral regions. Urban flooding is also expected in cities like Lahore and Rawalpindi soon.
Officials warned that landslides could block roads in hilly and mountainous regions. Travel may become difficult in areas like Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan during rains.
In 2022 floods in Pakistan, heavy rains caused massive destruction across the country. More than one thousand seven hundred people died and losses reached billions.