Drought Alert
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a drought alert following an alarming shortfall in rainfall across the country, with some regions experiencing deficits of up to 62% below normal levels. The situation poses a severe threat to agriculture, which is a backbone of Pakistan’s economy, contributing nearly 25% to the national GDP and employing 37% of the labor force.
Between September 1, 2024, and March 21, 2025, Pakistan recorded a nationwide decrease of 40% in average rainfall, according to an earlier alert by the PMD. The most affected province, Sindh, saw a staggering 62% drop in precipitation, while Balochistan experienced a 52% shortfall.
Punjab received 38% less rain than usual, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded a 35% deficit, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir had a 29% decrease. These shortages have intensified concerns over water availability for irrigation, drinking, and energy production, particularly in regions already prone to arid conditions.
According to a PMD report published in January, “mild drought” conditions had already affected most of Punjab, the entirety of Sindh, and approximately half of Balochistan. The department also predicted the likelihood of rapidly developing “flash droughts” as temperatures rise in the coming months.
Although recent spells of rainfall have improved conditions in central and northern regions, the drought remains severe in Sindh, southern Balochistan, and eastern Punjab, exacerbating concerns over food security and water shortages.
The PMD has further warned of dangerously low water levels in Pakistan’s major reservoirs, including the Tarbela and Mangla dams. In addition, March temperatures in southern Pakistan have been recorded at 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal, worsening the dry spell. Some southern regions have endured over 200 consecutive days without significant rainfall, and experts caution that the situation could deteriorate further if weather patterns do not change.
Pakistan primarily depends on the Indus River for its water supply, which flows from north to south before emptying into the Arabian Sea. However, experts highlight that a rapidly growing population, the adverse effects of climate change, and inefficient resource management have compounded the nation’s water scarcity.
The over-reliance on a single water source makes Pakistan particularly vulnerable to climate-induced disruptions, requiring urgent reforms in water conservation and distribution policies.
This prolonged drought comes less than three years after Pakistan suffered record monsoon rains in 2022, leading to catastrophic floods that submerged nearly a third of the country, including vast agricultural lands in Sindh and Punjab. The recurring extreme weather patterns highlight the increasing unpredictability of Pakistan’s climate and its devastating impact on livelihoods and infrastructure.
In addition to water shortages, Pakistan grapples with severe air pollution, particularly during the winter months when smog engulfs major urban centers. The smog, caused by low-quality vehicle fuel, industrial emissions, and the widespread practice of crop residue burning, worsens due to cold weather trapping pollutants near the ground.
Typically, rainfall provides temporary relief by clearing airborne pollutants, but the prolonged dry spell has left Punjab province particularly smog-ridden, posing serious health risks to the population.
With worsening drought conditions, declining water resources, and rising temperatures, Pakistan faces significant environmental challenges that demand immediate and long-term policy interventions. The government and relevant authorities must prioritize sustainable water management, climate adaptation strategies, and pollution control to mitigate the growing risks posed by changing weather patterns.
