Islamabad, March 24, 2025: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a drought alert following a drastic decline in rainfall, with some regions experiencing up to a 62% shortfall. The ongoing dry spell poses a serious threat to the agriculture sector, which contributes nearly a quarter of Pakistan’s GDP and employs 37% of the labor force.
Between September 1, 2024, and March 21, 2025, Pakistan received 40% less rainfall than normal. Sindh has been the hardest hit, facing a 62% deficit, followed by Balochistan (52%), Punjab (38%), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (35%), and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (29%).
A PMD report from January identified “mild drought” conditions across Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, warning that “flash droughts” could intensify in the coming months. While recent rains have improved conditions in central and northern Pakistan, severe drought persists in Sindh, southern Balochistan, and eastern Punjab.
The PMD has also flagged a looming water shortage in Tarbela and Mangla dams, with March temperatures in southern Pakistan recorded 2-3°C above normal. Some southern regions have seen dry spells lasting over 200 consecutive days, raising concerns that drought conditions may worsen further.
Pakistan’s heavy reliance on the Indus River for water, coupled with rapid population growth, climate change, and poor resource management, has exacerbated the crisis. The current drought follows historic monsoon floods in 2022, which submerged nearly a third of the country, including key agricultural areas.
Adding to environmental woes, Punjab remains blanketed in smog, as dry conditions have prevented rain from clearing airborne pollutants. Experts warn that without urgent measures, Pakistan could face an escalating water crisis with severe consequences for food security and public health.
