The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued its seasonal outlook for the 2026 monsoon covering the Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Himalayan region, forecasting above-normal temperatures along with monsoon rainfall, raising concerns over accelerated glacier melting. Normal rainfall is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PMD said temperatures in the northern mountainous regions are likely to remain above normal. Higher temperatures could accelerate the melting of glaciers and snowpacks, increasing river flows during the monsoon season and raising the risk of localized flooding.
The department warned that intense, short-duration rainfall could trigger flash floods, landslides and debris flows. It also cautioned that the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) may increase.
The PMD advised people living near rivers, streams and glacial valleys to remain vigilant. It also directed relevant authorities to closely monitor weather and flood conditions, while urging the public to follow the latest weather updates and official advisories.
In a separate statement on rainfall from April to June, the PMD said overall precipitation across the country remained slightly above normal during the season. Pakistan recorded 13 percent more rainfall than normal between April and June 2026.
The department added that the country received an average of 73 millimetres of rainfall during the pre-monsoon season, with overall conditions remaining slightly better than normal. Rainfall was 23 percent above normal in Punjab, 15 percent higher in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 10 percent above normal in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and 10 percent higher in Balochistan. Rainfall in Sindh remained close to normal, while Gilgit-Baltistan recorded 17 percent below-normal pre-monsoon rainfall.
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