The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has declared several districts in Sindh and Balochistan, along with the Cholistan Desert, as high-risk drought-affected areas amid worsening dry conditions across the country, it was reported on Friday.
According to the department, the Balochistan districts of Chagai, Washuk and Gwadar are currently experiencing drought conditions, while the Sindh districts of Tharparkar and Umerkot have been identified as highly vulnerable to the prolonged dry spell.
The PMD further warned that Cholistan and vast desert regions of southern Punjab face a severe risk of drought. It noted that average temperatures in the affected areas are between two and six degrees Celsius above normal levels, further aggravating the situation.
In response to the growing threat, the department has directed authorities in high-risk regions to establish special fodder and water banks to help protect livestock and reduce the impact on local communities dependent on animal husbandry.
The meteorological authorities also highlighted that below-average rainfall in central and southern parts of the country has significantly reduced underground moisture levels, raising concerns about water availability and agricultural sustainability.
As part of emergency preparedness measures, the PMD has recommended the activation of emergency supply systems to ensure the provision of clean drinking water in the desert regions of Cholistan and Thar, where residents are particularly vulnerable to water shortages.
