Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a high-level investigation after the Gilgit-Baltistan flood warning system, meant to protect communities from glacial floods, was found inactive ahead of the monsoon season. The issue surfaced during a pre-monsoon preparedness meeting held in Islamabad.
Officials from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed that the system installed to detect glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) had not been operational, despite directives issued in 2025.
The Gilgit-Baltistan flood warning system is an early-detection network designed to alert authorities and residents to glacial lake outburst floods. Its failure means vulnerable northern communities may receive delayed warnings during the monsoon season, increasing the risk to life, infrastructure, and local economies dependent on agriculture and tourism.
Inquiry Ordered Over Inactive Flood System
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed strong displeasure over what he described as “institutional negligence.” According to the PMO, he directed immediate accountability for departments responsible for maintaining the system.
The meeting included senior officials from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), and the Ministry of Climate Change. Provincial chief secretaries also attended via coordination channels.
With the monsoon approaching, the failure of the Gilgit-Baltistan flood warning system has intensified scrutiny on Pakistan’s disaster readiness, raising urgent questions about institutional accountability and climate resilience.
