STAFF REPORTER
PESHAWAR: A high-level meeting on precautionary measures against potential threats of Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was held here on Tuesday with Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah in the chair. Secretaries of P&D & Relief Departments, DG PDMA, Chief Economist P&D, and other officials attended the meeting, while Deputy Commissioners of Upper and Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat, and Upper Kohistan joined through video link. During the briefing, it was informed that Reshun Village in Upper Chitral has been declared a high-risk area, while in Swat, the areas of Utror, Matiltan, and Kalam; in Lower Chitral, Madaklasht and Arkari; in Upper Dir, Kumrat; and in Upper Kohistan, Kandia are among the vulnerable localities facing potential GLOF threats. Preventive safety measures have already been ensured in these areas, the meeting was told. The Chief Secretary directed that all GLOF-prone districts must submit daily situation reports to the Chief Secretary’s Office. He emphasized that district administrations should remain on high alert to timely respond in case of any emergency, keep local communities informed, and ensure special focus on strengthening the early warning system for the protection of public life and property. District administrations were also directed to ensure continuous monitoring of sensitive sites, timely warnings, and advance evacuation arrangements where necessary. He further instructed that the departments of Planning, Forestry, Environmental Protection Agency, PDMA, On-Farm Water Management, and Soil & Water Conservation must remain in close coordination. The briefing highlighted that protective measures have been taken along riversides in Kumrat Dir and Utror Swat, while special arrangements have been completed for the safety of communities residing in downstream high-risk zones. According to DG PDMA, local watchers have been deployed in vulnerable areas to monitor the situation and closely remain in contact with local communities and mosques. Moreover, emergency centers have been established with the support of district administrations to respond promptly to any untoward situation.
