Monitoing Desk
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a drought alert for Sindh, Balochistan, and southern Punjab, warning that persistent dry conditions, record-low rainfall, and soaring temperatures are likely to intensify drought across these regions in the coming weeks.
According to the alert released on Monday, the situation has become increasingly dire despite recent rainfall in the central and northern parts of the country. The southern half of Pakistan continues to experience abnormally dry weather, with March temperatures recorded 2°C to 3°C above normal and several areas suffering over 200 consecutive dry days.
Rainfall across the country from September 1, 2024, to March 21, 2025, was 40 percent below normal, with Sindh facing the sharpest shortfall at -62%, followed by Balochistan (-52%) and Punjab (-38%). Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan also received significantly below-average rainfall.
The PMD identified key drought-affected areas:
Sindh: Moderate drought is developing in Padidan, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Khairpur, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, and Karachi. Mild drought conditions prevail in Ghotki, Jacobabad, Larkana, Sukkur, and Sanghar.
Balochistan: Moderate drought conditions are reported in Gwadar, Kech, Lasbela, Panjgur, and Awaran, while mild drought is affecting Chagai, Jaffarabad, Jhal Magsi, Sibbi, Nushki, and Washuk.
Punjab: The drought alert applies to Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan.
The National Drought Monitoring & Early Warning Centre (NDMC) cautioned that these conditions are likely to worsen in the weeks ahead. It also flagged the potential for a flash drought — a rapidly intensifying drought driven by a combination of rising temperatures, dry winds, and reduced precipitation.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s major water reservoirs are at critically low levels. The water level at Tarbela Dam has dropped to 1,402 feet, and Mangla Dam stands at 1,061.75 feet — both at their dead storage levels. River flows across the country are also alarmingly low, adding pressure to already strained water resources.
The NDMC noted that from March 15 to 21, average temperatures were 1°C to 7°C above normal, resulting in declining soil moisture and increasing water demand, with potentially serious consequences for the upcoming cropping season.
Looking ahead, the PMD forecasts continued dry weather across most of Pakistan from March 24 to 30. However, isolated rain, windstorms, and thunderstorms — including hail — are expected in upper KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and north Balochistan around March 26. Scattered activity may also affect lower KP and parts of southern and upper Punjab.
The PMD has urged all relevant authorities, especially in the agriculture and water management sectors, to take immediate mitigation and preparedness measures to manage the growing threat of drought.
