Islamabad: The Pakistan Meteorological Department released its weekly drought update, noting significant rainfall disparities across different regions of the country from August 8th to 15th, 2024, alongside heightened mean temperatures that continue to affect most areas.

According to Pakistan Meteorological Department, most regions experienced below-normal rainfall during the week, with exceptions in parts of Balochistan, Punjab, and Gilgit Baltistan, where rainfall was above average. Conversely, areas like Turbat, Nokkundi, Pasni, Gawadar in Balochistan, and parts of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received little to no rainfall.

Temperature analyses revealed that mean temperatures were generally above normal, with increases ranging from 1°C to 6°C across most of the country, except for a few places that registered below-normal temperatures. This trend is part of an ongoing pattern of temperature fluctuations impacting agricultural and water storage conditions.

The department’s forecast for the upcoming week predicts rain-wind/thundershowers in Kashmir, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan, and Gilgit Baltistan from August 16th to 21st, with isolated heavy falls likely in northeast Punjab and south Balochistan. This anticipated rainfall could provide some relief to the drought-affected regions.

The report, enhanced by NASA’s GRACE-FO satellite data, also highlights the current distribution of surface soil moisture, indicating drier conditions in the northern parts of the country compared to the central and southern regions.