40% decrease in rainfall pushes Pakistan towards drought conditions

Pakistan is witnessing the early signs of a drought, as a severe shortage of rainfall has been recorded in multiple regions of the country over the past five and a half months.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has reported that national rainfall has dropped by 40 percent from September 1 to January 15, leading to the emergence of drought conditions in several areas, particularly in Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan.

The PMD has highlighted that rainfall in the country during the specified period was significantly below average, with some provinces bearing the brunt of the deficit. Sindh recorded a 52 percent reduction in rainfall, while Balochistan saw a 45 percent decline, and Punjab experienced a 42 percent shortfall.

These deficits have created the conditions for mild drought to manifest in various regions, with the situation expected to worsen in the coming months if the trend continues.

In Punjab, areas like Potohar, Layyah, Bhakkar, and Multan have begun showing signs of drought. Despite the typical expectations for rainfall in the region during this time, the PMD predicts little chance of significant precipitation, further exacerbating the drought risk.