PMD Issues Drought Alert in Pakistan Amid Severe Water Crisis

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a Drought Alert in Pakistan Amid Severe Water Crisis for Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab, warning that the situation may worsen due to low rainfall and rising temperatures.

Between 1 September 2024 and 21 March 2025, Pakistan received 40% less rainfall than usual. Sindh recorded the highest deficit at 62%, followed by Balochistan at 52%, Punjab at 38%, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 35%, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir at 29%. While recent rains have helped in some areas, the drought alert in Pakistan remains in effect for southern Sindh, parts of Balochistan, and the lower eastern plains of Punjab.

Temperatures in March have been 2-3°C higher than normal in the southern half of the country, worsening the situation. The PMD also reported severe water shortages in Tarbela and Mangla Dams. The flow of major rivers has also dropped significantly.

Read more: Warm and Dry Weather of Karachi to Continue in Coming Days

The National Drought Monitoring and Early Warning Center (NDMC) warned that the drought alert in Pakistan could intensify in Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab. In parts of southern Pakistan, dry spells have lasted over 200 days.

In Sindh, moderate drought conditions are expected in Paddidan, Dadu, Tharparkar, Hyderabad, and Karachi, while mild drought is likely in Ghotki, Larkana, Sukkur, and Sanghar. Balochistan, Gwadar, Kech, Lasbela and Panjgur are the most affected areas. Punjab, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan may face mild to moderate drought conditions.

The PMD also warned of flash droughts, where dry conditions worsen rapidly due to weather changes. Experts stress that the drought alert in Pakistan requires immediate action from authorities to protect agriculture and water supplies.

With water shortages worsening, the PMD has urged authorities to take action, especially in agriculture and water management.

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