Chilas, Bunji set new heat records

New extreme maximum temperature records have been set in Gilgit-Baltistan's Chilas and Bunji areas, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said in a statement.

The PMD recorded a maximum temperature of 48.5°C in Chilas on Saturday, breaking the previous historical extreme maximum record of 47.7°C on July 17, 1997.

The temperature recorded in Bunji was 46.1°C. The previous historical extreme maximum record was 45.6°C on July 12, 1971.

"These persistent high temperatures over northern areas may accelerate snow and glacier melt, triggering Glof (glacial lake outburst flood) and flash flood incidents in vulnerable valleys and surrounding regions during upcoming week," the PMD stated.

Over 7.1 million people in G-B and K-P are vulnerable, according to the Ministry of Climate Change.