The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a drought-like alert in most parts of the country due to low rainfall. The National Drought Monitoring Center (NDMC) of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said in an advisory on Tuesday that there was not enough rainfall in the plains, which increased the drought situation. The PMD said that this alert is a continuation of the drought advisory number one issued on December 9. From September 1, 2024 to January 15, 2025, there was 40 percent less rainfall than normal across Pakistan. Rainfall in Sindh was 52 percent less than normal, in Balochistan 45 percent and in Punjab 42 percent less. Due to low rainfall, drought-like conditions have arisen in different parts of the country, where rain is the main source of water storage. These areas include most areas of Sindh and southern Punjab. In Punjab, the Potohar areas of Attock, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Mild drought is being observed in Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Rajanpur, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali and DG Khan. Similar conditions are also observed in Sindh in Ghotki, Jacobabad, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, Padidan, Sukkur, Khairpur, Tharparkar, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin and Karachi.
Similar reports are being received in Ormara, Kharan, Turbat, Kech, Panjgur, Awaran, Lasbela, Nokundi, Dalbandin and adjacent areas in Balochistan. The alert advisory states that the drought situation is likely to worsen further as there is currently no significant rainfall in the rain-dependent areas of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. The effects of drought in Pakistan will also affect Afghanistan and a flour crisis may arise in Pakistan. On the other hand, according to reports from international organizations, a significant decrease in groundwater levels has been predicted in the northwestern region of India, which may increase the risks of drought. In India, 70 percent of groundwater is used for agriculture, and there is a risk that reduced water availability will affect food production. However, the Indian government has taken several steps to improve infrastructure and develop the agricultural sector, which may help reduce the effects of drought.