Warning issued for glacial outburst, flash flooding

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain/thundershowers during next 24 hours, warning that the fresh heavy rains may burst a glacier and cause flash flooding in Gilgit Baltistan, Samaa reported.

The fresh wet spell is likely to persist till Thursday.

Synoptic Situation:

Seasonal low lies over North Balochistan. Yesterday’s Monsoon Low over west Madhya Pradesh still persist there. A fresh westerly wave is now located over northern parts of Afghanistan and its adjoining areas. Moist currents are penetrating upper and central parts of the country.

Next 24 hrs:

Rain-thunderstorm with isolated heavy falls is expected at scattered places in Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Kalat, Naseerabad, Makran divisions, Islamabad and Kashmir. Rain-thunderstorm is also expected at isolated places in KP, FATA, upper Sindh and south Punjab (Multan, Bahawalpur, D.G. Khan divisions).

Next 48 hrs:

Rain-thunderstorm with isolated heavy falls is expected at scattered places in KP, FATA, Islamabad, upper/central Punjab (Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Sahiwal divisions), Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, while at isolated places in lower Sindh (Karachi, Hyderabad divisions), northeast Balochistan (Kalat, Zhob, Nasirabad divisions).

Past Weather:

Rain-thunderstorm occurred at scattered places in Kashmir, Malakand, Hazara, D.I.Khan, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Multan, Kalat divisions and Barkhan. Weather remained hot and humid elsewhere in the country.

Rainfall (mm):

Kashmir: Kotli 97, Muzaffarabad 23, Garidupatta 10, KP: Kakul 88, Balakot 61, Saidu Sharif 45, Lower Dir 43, Malamjabba 17, Balochistan: Khuzdar 03, Barkhan 02.

Yesterday's Highest Maximum Temperatures: Dalbandin 46°C, Nokkundi, Panjgur  45°C, Sibbi, Dadu 44°C,  R.Y.Khan, Sukkur 43°C.

For Gilgit Baltistan & Chitral

Rain bearing weather system is likely to persist in GB and Chitral from 14-19th July, having potential to produce Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) / Flash Floods, particularly in PMD's pilot GLOF sites Bagrot, Bindogol and Golain valleys as well their surroundings.

Local communities are advised to remain alert and concerned authorities to take precautionary measures. - Samaa