Latest news with #GlacialLakeOutburstFloods
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Climate
- Business Recorder
PMD issues seasonal outlook for monsoon
KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued its seasonal outlook for the upcoming monsoon season, forecasting normal to slightly above-normal rainfall in large parts of the country, alongside above-normal temperatures expected to persist nationwide. According to the PMD, the monsoon rainfall pattern from July to September 2025 is likely to bring normal to slightly enhanced precipitation across the central and southern regions, with the north-eastern parts of Punjab and Kashmir seeing the highest deviations from average. In contrast, northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) may experience normal to below-normal rainfall, setting a potentially dry trend for these upper mountainous regions. Adding to the climate concern, higher-than-normal temperatures are forecast throughout the country, with the most significant departures expected in Kashmir, GB, and adjoining parts of KP. These elevated temperatures pose serious risks by accelerating snowmelt, which could cause rising river levels and an increased chance of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). The PMD cautions that the combined effect of intense rainfall and heat could trigger extreme hydro-meteorological events, especially over catchments' areas. These conditions may lead to riverine flooding in major river systems. Additionally, flash flooding and urban inundation are anticipated in hill torrent regions and major urban centers of Sindh, Punjab, Kashmir, and KP, particularly during the first half of the monsoon season. Communities should also prepare for strong winds, dust storms, and hailstorms resulting from sharp temperature gradients. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Unilateral IWT suspension: Senate body urges NDMA, ministries to conduct assessment
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has urged the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and ministries of Climate Change, and Water Resources to work together and conduct a joint assessment in the wake of unilateral suspension of Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) on part of India. The committee met Wednesday under the leadership of Sherry Rehman, the panel's Chairperson, to take up the relevant issues. Addressing the meeting, she called for an immediate and coordinated action on safeguarding the Indus River in the aftermath of IWT suspension by India. 'This is not just a violation of international law—it is a form of water and climate weaponisation by India. If the water flow from mountains to delta is compromised, we will witness the salinisation of breadbaskets-especially Sindh and a collapse in food security,' she cautioned. 'More than 240 million Pakistanis are effectively being held hostage,' Rehman said. Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik and his team briefed the committee on Summer Contingency Plan 2025. The NDMA officials shared data indicating an early and volatile monsoon season, with increased probability of cloudbursts, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), and windstorms. 'We are monitoring climate signals from 270 earth and weather satellites and are now able to offer early, confirmatory alerts using seismic, hydromet, and oceanic data systems,' said the chairman NDMA in his briefing to the committee. Utilising a comprehensive archive of disaster records dating back to 1900, NDMA can predict climate-related disasters up to 10 months in advance, he said. The NDMA has developed a mobile application to support public awareness by delivering timely alerts and educational messages in multiple languages, Malik said. Pakistan loses $4 million annually due to climate-intensified disasters, the briefing revealed. Apart from the relevant government officials, the NDMA briefing was attended by the Senate committee members including Shahzaib Durrani, Naseema Ehsan, and Quratul Ain Marri. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
26-03-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
PMD chief warns temperatures could soar up to 5°C above normal
Daytime temperatures may rise by 3°C to 4°C above normal levels in Karachi. PHOTO: PIXABAY Listen to article The chief meteorologist of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of significant temperature rise in the coming months in the country, saying forecasts indicate temperatures may rise by 3°C to 5°C above normal levels. Speaking at a press conference, Chief Meteorologist Muhammad Afzal revealed that winter rainfall was recorded 42% below normal, with Sindh receiving 63% less rain, Balochistan 53%, and Punjab 41%. The alarming decline in rainfall has pushed dams and water reservoirs to dead levels, raising concerns over water availability for agriculture and domestic use. Afzal further cautioned that below-normal rainfall is expected in the northern regions, exacerbating the water crisis. The shortage could lead to crop failures, the spread of diseases, and a negative impact on wildlife. He urged the public to use water wisely to mitigate the crisis. Major metropolitan areas will experience heatwave conditions due to the urban heat island effect, accelerating drought conditions. The intense heat may also accelerate the melting of glaciers, increasing river flows temporarily but raising the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and flash floods in northern areas. Pakistan typically receives 19.4% of its annual rainfall between April and June, but below-average rainfall is expected this year, which could contribute to groundwater depletion, particularly in rain-fed regions. Additionally, cyclone formation over the Arabian Sea cannot be ruled out in May due to the rising sea surface temperatures. During the Eidul Fitr holidays, most parts of the country will experience hot and dry weather, with temperatures likely to remain 2 to 3°C above normal. In Karachi, daytime temperatures may rise by 3°C to 4°C above normal levels, adding to the discomfort for citizens. A wet spell with rain, thunderstorms, and snowfall over mountains is expected in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and northern Punjab on March 26-27. Areas such as Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, and Mansehra may receive moderate to heavy rainfall, while dust storms and thunderstorms are also likely over the plains of Punjab. Heavy rainfall in northern areas could lead to flash floods in some regions, while windstorms, hailstorms, and lightning pose a risk to electric poles, trees, vehicles, solar panels, and standing crops. Landslides and slippery conditions may also affect mountainous areas. The authorities and relevant stakeholders have been advised to implement precautionary measures to address the impacts of rising temperatures, heat waves, and water shortages. Public awareness campaigns should be launched to inform communities about heatwave preparedness and water conservation strategies. The Met Office has urged the public to stay hydrated, avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure, and conserve water to reduce the impact of the looming crisis.
Times of Oman
22-03-2025
- Science
- Times of Oman
UN World Day for Glaciers: Report reveals alarming decline of Himalayan glaciers
New Delhi: As the world observes the first-ever United Nations World Day for Glaciers on Saturday, a report by Suhora Technologies, an Indian earth observation and analytics company, highlights a disturbing trend in the Himalayan region. It reported that some glacial lakes are rapidly expanding, posing a growing risk to communities in the region. The United Nations organises the World Day for Glaciers, which aims to raise global awareness about the critical role glaciers, snow, and ice play in the climate system and global water security. The report calls for global action to preserve glaciers' essential role in sustaining life on Earth for future generations. The company which has issued the report maintains an extensive inventory of approximately 33,000 lakes spread across 630 glaciers in the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra basins of India and neighbouring regions. This data has been instrumental in assessing and identifying potential threats posed by glacial changes. According to the company's research, while not all lakes are expanding, some are showing alarming growth. The expansion of certain high-altitude glacial lakes, driven by accelerated glacial melt due to climate change, poses a serious risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). These floods occur when natural dams that hold back glacial lakes fail, unleashing sudden, catastrophic floods. The 2023 South Lhonak Lake outburst in Sikkim serves as a chilling example of the devastation such floods can cause, wiping out infrastructure, disrupting livelihoods, and claiming lives. The report's data also reveals that glaciers themselves are retreating at an accelerated pace. One such example is a glacier located on the Nepal-China border, which has undergone significant changes in its shape, demonstrating substantial ice loss over time. According to the report, this pattern is consistent with wider trends across the region, which could have far-reaching consequences for water availability, agricultural productivity, and the overall livelihood of communities that depend on these glaciers for freshwater.
