Glacier burst in Ghizer district triggers flooding, strands residents

GILGIT: A glacier burst in the Tali Das area of Ghizer District has triggered a sudden and severe flood, disrupting the flow of the Ghizer River and stranding several residents, local sources reported Friday.

The glacier outburst has blocked the river flow in the Rawshan Tali Das region, causing water to back up and form a large lake, threatening nearby settlements. The Makin area and parts of the Ghizer Expressway are reportedly inundated as water levels continue to rise.

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Local elders confirmed that several people, including women and children, were initially stranded due to the flooding. However, most managed to reach safe areas on their own, though the situation remains critical.

The Pakistan Army has dispatched a helicopter to assist in relief operations, including evacuation of any remaining flood victims. Emergency services are closely monitoring the expanding lake, and authorities have warned residents in low-lying areas to remain alert.

MORE RAIN EXPECTED FROM TOMORROW

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast more rain in most parts of Pakistan from tomorrow and has also warned of landslides and urban flooding. Officials said that monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal will enter Pakistan today with greater intensity, bringing heavy rains until August 27 in many areas.

PMD predicted that Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi, along with Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, DG Khan, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Muzaffargarh, are likely to receive rainfall from tomorrow until August 25.

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In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, heavy rains are expected in Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Bajaur until August 26.

Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and parts of Balochistan, including Quetta, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Khuzdar, and Qila Abdullah, are also likely to experience downpours. Karachi, Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, Jacobabad, and Jamshoro may receive rain as well.