ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued the Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF)/flash floods alert for Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, amid high temperatures and rains predictions.
“Due to a significant rise in temperatures in Northern Pakistan, the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) is likely to increase in low-lying glaciated areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa”, reads the GLOF alert issued.
The Met office has also predicted significant rains in the upper part during the current week.
“The persistent high temperatures may accelerate snow and glacier melt and the subsequent weather events, potentially triggering GLOF incidents in vulnerable valleys and surrounding regions during the current and upcoming weeks”, the alert reads.
District Administrations and local organizations have been advised to stay alert and be prepared for the GLOF and flash flood events. They have also been advised to communicate timely warnings to communities to avoid high-risk areas and to follow safety instructions.
“All concerned are advised to remain alert and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation”, the alert further reads.
Meanwhile, the GLOF II project in collaboration with University of Baltistan (UoB), AKRSP and Wafa Foundation Skardu inaugurated a Glacier Grafting campaign in Kuwardo village today. Over a hundred volunteers from the local community participated with a high female participation. University of Baltistan currently working on research and development in Baltistan will provide technical support for the campaign.
Kuwardo is a drought hit village in Gilgit-Baltistan where people lack access to clean drinking water as well as water for irrigation. Glacier Grafting will help local community in having access to clean drinking water. The community’s motivation to complete this effectively is remarkable and stems from the successful completion of a similar project by WASEP.
The process involves collection of ice masses from six different locations of Baltistan Division (Kurdunoo, Istak, Rundoo and four of the glaciers of Shigar District). After the inauguration ceremony, six teams of volunteers trained by UoB and AKRSP set out for the target points for Glacier Grafting. The teams will also collect water from different streams (Nallahs) and rivers from these locations with the help of volunteers.
nder the GLOF II Project, a volunteer plantation drive, ‘Adopt a Tree Campaign’ with the collaboration of University of Baltistan, Skardu Hussain Abad campus was also held yesterday. A large number of students participated in the campaign which directly contributes to the Prime Minister’s Clean and Green Pakistan initiative.
The USD 37 million Green Climate Fund (GCF) funded “Scaling-up of GLOF risk reduction in Northern Pakistan (GLOF-II)” project is a continuation of the four years “Reducing Risks and Vulnerabilities from GLOF in Northern Pakistan” (GLOF-I)” project funded by Adaptation Fund.
