PDMA warns of drought threat in Punjab

Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) states that the situation will adversely impact Punjab.

Islamabad: The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a warning about the escalating risk of drought in the region due to the absence of winter rains.

The severe dry winter conditions, characterized by a lack of precipitation, have raised concerns about potential drought-related challenges.

PDMA highlights that as January progresses without any significant rain or snowfall, the dry winter poses various threats to the area.

This situation could lead to adverse impacts on agriculture, water resources, and overall environmental conditions.

Over the last 24 hours, temperature extremes were recorded across different parts of the country.

Skardu reported the lowest temperature at minus 11 degrees Celsius, indicating the intensity of the cold spell.

Other areas, such as Kalam, Gilgit, Astor, Chitral, Hunza, Rawalakot, Quetta, Chakwal, Islamabad, Peshawar, Bannu, Lahore, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sukkur, Mithi, and Sargodha, experienced varying degrees of cold, with temperatures dropping as low as negative figures.

The Pak-Afghan border areas witnessed an even more drastic drop, with temperatures plummeting 7 degrees below the freezing point.

The combination of the absence of winter precipitation and the frigid temperatures poses challenges for both the immediate well-being of the population and the long-term impacts on regional agriculture and water resources.

As the situation unfolds, authorities are closely monitoring the weather patterns and advising residents to take necessary precautions to mitigate the potential consequences of the dry winter.