The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has released its Quarterly Drought Bulletin for July-September 2024, highlighting ongoing drought risks across the country due to Pakistan’s diverse latitudinal range and variable rainfall patterns. The southern regions remain particularly vulnerable, experiencing arid to hyper-arid conditions, while the northern areas vary from semi-arid to humid. According to Pakistan Meteorological Department, drought remains a persistent challenge for all provinces, with the absence of precipitation exacerbating the situation in many regions. The bulletin outlines that drought can unfold gradually or, in some cases, manifest as a flash drought during heat waves, making its impact widespread and affecting large portions of the population. The PMD’s National Drought/Environment Monitoring and Early Warning Centre (NDMC), established in 2004-05, plays a crucial role in monitoring drought conditions nationwide. The NDMC operates in coordination with four Regional Drought Monitor
ing Centers (RDMCs) located in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta. These centers are responsible for consolidating data and issuing early warnings to mitigate drought effects. To strengthen monitoring efforts, Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) have been deployed in drought-prone areas.
The PMD has also installed a network of Ordinary Rain Gauges (ORG) across the country, particularly in districts most vulnerable to drought, providing critical data for early detection and response.