Pakistan is facing an increasing risk of drought, following a significant reduction in rainfall across the country.
According to the Meteorological Department, rainfall has been 40% below normal over the past four months, with varying degrees of shortage recorded across provinces, Express News reported.
The period from September 1 to January 15 saw a 52% decline in Sindh, while Balochistan saw a 45% decline. In Punjab, the deficit was recorded at 42%.
This rainfall deficit also risks bringing forward the summer season, with a rise in temperatures expected in the coming days.
In several areas of Punjab, such as Pothohar, Layyah, Bhakkar and Multan, mild droughts have already started to appear. These conditions are expected to worsen, particularly in rain-dependent areas.
In other areas, including Rajanpur, Bahawalpur and Sargodha, similar signs of drought were noted. Major cities such as Karachi, Hyderabad and Badin in Sindh, as well as various towns in Balochistan, are also experiencing an early stage of drought.
The Meteorological Department has warned that if the current trend of low rainfall continues, the situation could deteriorate further, exacerbating the risk of widespread drought and heatwaves in the near future.
Additionally, Pakistan is expected to experience cold and dry weather in most parts, with light rain and snowfall expected in some northern areas.
According to the Meteorological Department, the weather will remain cool and dry in most of the country, with cloud cover in places.
Areas such as Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and parts of northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) will experience rain and snow in the coming days.
Light snowfall is expected in high mountain areas including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Battagram, Abbottabad and Waziristan.
In Punjab, the weather will remain cold and dry, with no significant rainfall expected. Similarly, areas of Sindh are likely to experience cold and dry conditions.
In Balochistan, most districts will experience cold weather with some cloud cover, with light rain and snow possible in higher altitudes, including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Barkhan and Chagai.
Islamabad and surrounding areas will experience cold weather, with the possibility of partly cloudy skies. Northern parts of the country, including Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, are expected to remain overcast with intermittent rain and snowfall.
