Key words
- Bunji town on the Indus River recorded 46.1°C, breaking its earlier high of 45.6°C from July 1971
- These temperatures come amid an intense summer across the country
- In June, PMD reported that the “feels like” temperature crossed 50°C in four cities
ISLAMABAD: Northern Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region, renowned for its cool climate and the largest glacial reserves on Earth outside the two poles, has recorded its highest-ever temperature – 48.5°C – according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
The towns of Chilas and Bunji in Gilgit experienced scorching heat on Saturday, breaking long-standing records.
Chilas hit a sweltering 48.5°C, surpassing its previous record of 47.7°C set in July 1997. Meanwhile, Bunji recorded 46.1°C, breaking its earlier high of 45.6°C from July 1971.
Serious concerns
These temperatures come amid an intense summer across the country. In June, PMD reported that the “feels like” temperature crossed 50°C in four cities.
The extreme heat in Gilgit-Baltistan has raised serious concerns. The PMD warned that persistently high temperatures could accelerate snow and glacier melt in the region.
GLOF events
This significantly increases the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and flash floods in vulnerable mountain communities over the coming week.
GLOFs occur when water suddenly bursts out from a glacial lake, often bringing devastating floods and debris flows. The Ministry of Climate Change estimates that over 7.1 million people in Gilgit-Baltistan and neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province are at risk.
Responding to the threat, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued warnings to five districts – Upper and Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat, and Upper Kohistan. These areas, home to many glaciated valleys, are especially vulnerable as rising temperatures and changing weather patterns increase the risk of flooding.
