The chief meteorologist of the Pakistan Meteorological Department on Wednesday warned that forecasts indicated daytime temperatures may rise 3°-5°C above normal levels in the coming months, as he reiterated concerns about water availability amidst scant rainfall.
Addressing a press conference, Muhammad Afzal noted that rainfall this winter was 42% below normal, with Sindh receiving 63% less rain, Balochistan 53%, and Punjab 41%. These drought conditions, he said, had left dams and water reservoirs at dead levels, raising concerns over water availability for agriculture and domestic use.
Cautioning that below-normal rainfall was expected in northern regions, he said this will exacerbate the water crisis, potentially leading to crop failures, the spread of diseases, and a negative impact on wildlife. He urged the public to use water sparingly to mitigate the crisis in the summer months.
On the rising temperatures, he said the situation could trigger heatwaves in urban areas due to the “heat island” effect, accelerating drought conditions. The prevailing heat, he warned, may also accelerate the melting of glaciers, increasing river flows temporarily but raising the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods and flash floods in northern areas.
According to Afzal, Pakistan typically receives 19.4% of its annual rainfall between April and June. However, he said, forecasts for this year indicated below-average rainfall, which could contribute to groundwater depletion, particularly in rain-fed regions. He also warned that cyclone formation over the Arabian Sea may occur in May due to the rising sea surface temperatures.
During the upcoming Eidul Fitr holidays, he said, most parts of the country would experience hot and dry weather, with temperatures likely to remain 2°-3°Cabove normal.