PMD issues drought warning amid severe rainfall deficit

(Web Desk): The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a drought warning due to a significant drop in rainfall across the country.

Some areas have experienced up to 62% less rainfall than usual, which is having a major impact on agriculture. Agriculture is crucial to Pakistan's economy, contributing nearly a quarter of the GDP and employing 37% of the country's workforce.

From September 1, 2024, to March 21, 2025, Pakistan saw 40% less rainfall than normal. Sindh experienced the worst shortage, with a 62% deficit, followed by Balochistan at 52%. In Punjab, rainfall was 38% below average, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faced a 35% shortfall, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir received 29% less rain than usual.

A report from the PMD in January said that "mild drought" conditions were present in most of Punjab, all of Sindh, and half of Balochistan. Flash droughts were also expected during the warmer months. While recent rains have improved conditions in northern and central regions, drought continues in Sindh, southern Balochistan, and eastern Punjab.

The PMD also warned of a severe water shortage in the Tarbela and Mangla dams, and March temperatures in southern areas have been 2 to 3 degrees Celsius higher than normal. Some southern areas have had dry spells lasting more than 200 consecutive days, and the drought situation is expected to worsen.

Pakistan relies heavily on water from the Indus River, which runs from north to south and flows into the Arabian Sea. Experts say the country’s growing population, climate change, and poor water management are contributing to the scarcity. The drought comes just a few years after record monsoon rains caused devastating floods, which affected major agricultural areas like Sindh and Punjab.

The country also faces heavy smog during winter, caused by pollution from vehicles and farmers burning crop remains. This pollution is trapped by cold weather, and while rain usually helps reduce smog, the current dry conditions have worsened the situation, especially in Punjab, where the air quality is hazardous to health.