Chilas sizzles at 48.5°C as new heat record sparks climate alarm in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: 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.

According to the Met Office, the highest maximum temperature observed on Saturday at Bunji (Astore) is 46.1°C. Its previous historical extreme maximum record was 45.6 °C on 12 July, 1971.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has officially confirmed this unprecedented heat surge, raising renewed alarm over the intensifying impact 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, signalling 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 the Pakistan Meteorological Department, these persistent high temperatures over northern areas may accelerate snow and glacier melt,

triggering GLOF and flash floods incidents, in vulnerable valleys and surrounding regions during the upcoming week.