The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a drought alert after the country experienced significantly below-average rainfall, with some areas seeing a deficit of up to 62 per cent.
This drought is already having a serious impact on Pakistan’s agriculture, which makes up nearly 25 per cent of the nation’s GDP and employs 37 per cent of its workforce.
From September 1, 2024, to March 21, 2025, the country received 40 per cent less rainfall than usual, according to the PMD. Sindh was the hardest hit, with a 62 per cent shortfall, followed by Balochistan at 52 per cent. Punjab recorded a 38 per cent deficit, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saw 35 per cent less rain, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir experienced a 29 per cent drop.
In January, a PMD report revealed that “mild drought” conditions had affected most of Punjab, all of Sindh, and around half of Balochistan. Flash droughts are expected to worsen as the weather heats up. While recent rains have improved conditions in central and northern regions, Sindh, southern Balochistan, and eastern Punjab remain in drought.
The PMD also warned of water shortages in the Tarbela and Mangla dams, while temperatures in southern Pakistan have been 2 to 3 degrees Celsius higher than normal. In some southern areas, dry spells have stretched for over 200 days, and the PMD fears conditions may worsen.
Pakistan relies heavily on the Indus River for water, but analysts say climate change, population growth, and poor water management are worsening the crisis. This drought comes just three years after devastating floods left a third of the country submerged.
Additionally, smog caused by burning crop remnants and low-quality fuel continues to plague regions like Punjab, where the lack of rain is exacerbating the air pollution problem.
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