‘Growing glaciers’ not to reduce flow in rivers: PMD

Research misreported by an international media organisation, PMD chief says

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday dismissed fears that due to ‘growing size of glaciers’ in the country’s northern areas, there will be shortage of water in the rivers.

PMD chief Dr Ghulam Rasul told The Express Tribune that the international research carried out by a group of scientists in Arizona University was actually misreported by an international media organisation.



“The study has pointed out that a few glaciers located in the Karakoram Range are growing  due to which around 7% water shortage in Hunza River is feared,” said Rasul, adding that water inflow of other rivers of the country would not be disturbed by the increase.

“The glaciers that are growing only feed Hunza River and not others in the country,” he said.



“In next 15-20 years however it is expected that glaciers in Pakistan will start melting 10-15% more rapidly than usual and it is believed that the water generated from their melting will help overcome water shortage in Hunza River,” predicted the PMD chief.

Meanwhile, according to climate change experts, Pakistan will continue to bear the brunt of climate change and it is expected that in next 15 to 20 years, temperatures in the northern parts of the country will also rise resulting in rapid melting of glaciers.