ISLAMABAD: The Met Office has issued landslide warnings in the Hazara division and Kashmir in the coming days.

Due to weather developments from the west and the penetration of moist currents from the Arabian Sea there are threats of heavy falls in some areas of northeast Balochistan and the D.G. Khan division, leading to flash floods in local nullahs and settlements in the foothills.

There are also flash flood and glacial lake outburst flood warnings in the Chitral valley due to persistent high temperatures that are softening the snow, and brief rain could trigger massive snow and mudslides.

A glacial lake outburst flood is the sudden release of a large amount of water retained in a glacial lake associated with extreme peak water discharges causing floods downhill that are accompanied by debris and mud.

The Met Office has said that a seasonal low liesover western Balochistan while moderate moist currents from the Arabian Sea are penetrating upper and central parts of the country, which is likely to continue until Monday.

Under the influence of this weather system, more wind-thunderstorms and rain along with isolated moderate to heavy falls are expected at scattered places in most of the country.

Affected areas include Kashmir, Islamabad and the Hazara, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha, Sahiwal and Faisalabad divisions.

Landslides are expected in the Hazara division and Kashmir due to persistent rain. The Met Office has issued an alert warning to all the concerned authorities, who have been advised to stay vigilant during the forecast period.

According to the local Himalayan calendar, the rainy season started two days ago and Thursday was Sawan 3, signifying the state of flood threats.

The Kabul River was at medium flood level at Nowshera, the Jhelum River was at low flood at Mangla and the Indus was at low flood at Tarbela, Kalabagh, Chashma, Taunsa and Guddu.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2019