Islamabad: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has released its latest Quarterly Drought Bulletin, highlighting the diverse climate conditions across Pakistan and the persistent risk of drought in various regions.

According to Pakistan Meteorological Department, Pakistan’s unique latitudinal range causes significant variability in rainfall, which contributes to a range of climatic zones from arid in the south to humid in the north. The bulletin notes that certain areas are particularly susceptible to drought due to their consistent dry conditions, which can be exacerbated by prolonged periods without precipitation. Historically, droughts have affected all provinces in the country, presenting a recurring challenge for agricultural and urban areas alike.

The National Drought/Environment Monitoring and Early Warning Centre (NDMC), established by PMD in 2004-05 following the severe drought from 1999 to 2001, serves as the primary facility for monitoring these conditions. With a central office in Islamabad and four Regional Drought Monitoring Centers in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta, the NDMC plays a crucial role in collecting and analyzing drought-related data. This system is supported by an extensive network of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and Ordinary Rain Gauges (ORG) strategically placed across the country, especially in drought-prone areas.

The bulletin also addresses the nature of droughts, which can have a gradual onset or emerge rapidly as “flash droughts” due to heatwaves. Unlike other natural disasters such as floods or cyclones, the effects of drought are less immediately visible but can extend over large geographical areas and impact a significant portion of the population.

The PMD continues to enhance its monitoring capabilities and provide timely advisories to mitigate the impact of droughts across Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures in vulnerable districts.