Key Takeaways
- Temperatures reached 48.5°C in Turbat, Balochistan.
- Sindh and Balochistan recorded substantial rainfall deficits.
- Gilgit-Baltistan received slightly more precipitation than normal.
Pakistan has experienced its hottest monsoon season in seven years, with temperatures soaring to 48.5°C in Turbat, Balochistan, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
Despite the overall shortage of rainfall, certain regions faced intense spells of rain. Lahore airport received 252 millimetres of rainfall in a single day on July 23, while Gujranwala recorded 607 millimetres during July.
The PMD’s report highlighted marked differences in weather patterns across the country. Sindh and Balochistan recorded substantial rainfall deficits, with Sindh receiving 51 percent less rain than its normal monsoon level, and Balochistan experiencing a 34 percent shortfall.
In contrast, Gilgit-Baltistan received slightly more precipitation than normal, recording a 5 percent surplus. Other regions also experienced below-average rainfall, with Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab recording 18, 16, and 4 percent shortfalls, respectively.
The report noted that Turbat registered the season’s highest temperatures on July 7, 12, 30, and 31, with temperatures reaching extreme levels. Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan, on the other hand, recorded 6°C on September 23, as conditions turned cooler towards the end of the season.
The uneven pattern of monsoon rainfall was evident, with some regions facing considerable shortages while others experienced heavy downpours over short periods. The PMD stated that the reported figures alone do not establish that climate change was responsible for each temperature extreme or rainfall variation.
The findings underscore the need for continued monitoring and adaptation strategies to address the impacts of such weather patterns on agriculture, water resources, and public health in Pakistan.
