Gilgit: A new extreme temperature record was set in Chilas, Gilgit-Baltistan, on Saturday as the mercury soared to a scorching 48.5°C, surpassing the historical maximum of 47.7°C recorded on July 17, 1997.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has officially confirmed this unprecedented heat, raising renewed alarm over the intensifying impacts of climate change across the country.
Experts believe that this record-breaking heatwave is part of a growing trend of extreme weather events across Pakistan, signaling serious implications for the environment, public health, agriculture, and national disaster management.
The rise in temperature in Chilas, located in a region historically known for its alpine climate and glacial landscapes, is a clear indicator of the accelerating pace of climate change.
Experts warn that these heat extremes are no longer anomalies but part of a broader pattern driven by global warming and regional environmental degradation.
“Such high temperatures in the northern mountainous regions are deeply concerning,” said a senior PMD official. “They are not only affecting human livelihoods but also increasing the risk of glacial melt and natural disasters.”
In a related development, the PMD has issued an urgent Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) alert for Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warning that the ongoing high temperatures combined with an approaching weather system may trigger flash floods over the coming days.
According to a recent advisory issued by the PMD’s Research and Development Division in Islamabad, the current heatwave is accelerating snow and glacier melt at an alarming rate. The result could be the sudden bursting of glacial lakes, potentially causing catastrophic flash floods in nearby valleys and downstream communities.
The PMD has urged local administrations, residents, and emergency response units to stay on high alert and prepare for rapid response. Preventive measures and timely evacuations in high-risk areas are being emphasized to reduce potential damage.
Pakistan has been identified by global climate organizations as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, despite contributing less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions.
From record-breaking floods in 2022 that displaced millions to prolonged droughts, unseasonal rains, and heatwaves, the frequency and intensity of weather extremes have been rising.
Environmentalists and climate scientists are calling for stronger policies and faster implementation of climate adaptation strategies. The National Climate Change Policy and the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Risk Reduction Project (GLOF II) have been positive steps, but more comprehensive and community-focused planning is urgently required.
The record heat in Chilas and the rising risks of glacial outburst floods serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and global cooperation to address the escalating environmental crisis.
As temperatures continue to rise and natural hazards become more unpredictable, the lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems of millions of Pakistanis hang in the balance.
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