Flash flood warnings have been issued in Pakistan’s north-western regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as an ongoing heatwave threatens to accelerate glacial melt, potentially triggering flooding in the first half of the week.

Authorities have warned of sudden glacial lake outbursts, caused by excess meltwater, which could inundate nearby valleys and downstream settlements.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department reported a maximum temperature of 48.5°C on Saturday in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, surpassing the previous record of 47.7°C set in 1997, according to local media.

Elsewhere, a new monsoon front is approaching, with heavy rains forecast through Thursday in Islamabad and other areas, including Punjab and Balochistan.

Al Jazeera