ISLAMABAD – The below normal rains recorded during January to May this year which may lead to the drought-like prevailing situation in some parts of the country.
During winter months from January to March, rain received -62 percent well below normal rainfall whereas in April and May it was -9.9 percent near normal and overall from January to May it was recorded as -44.9 percent normal rains over Pakistan.
Due to deficit rainfall, droughts like conditions have emerged over most parts of the country. The moderate to severe drought is prevailing in arid areas of Punjab, lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, South Balochistan, Southwest Balochistan and Southeast Sindh. Spokesman Met office, Dr. Khalid M Malik said the central belt of Balochistan including Khuzdar, Faran etc. are more likely to hit by the drought.
He added that drought is not predicted after the activity of one season only but it was based on observing patterns of last many seasons. He said livestock was the most effective sector due to drought, adding that precautionary measures should be taken to ensure availability of drinking water in drought-prone areas to reduce losses.
Dry conditions were observed in southern parts of the country during the past five months. This dry condition caused water stress in the agriculture areas of the country that demands availability of more supplementary irrigation water for Kharif crops, he informed. The water availability in major reservoirs is low; however, water situation in the major dams will improve with the increase of temperature. Small dams (situated near Islamabad) are at critical level and groundwater boring and wells become dry (up to the depth of 150 feet) in most areas of federal capital and Rawalpindi.
It is therefore advised to all stakeholders for an immediate water management strategy to avoid negative impacts of deficit rainfall on water and agriculture sector.
