Sindh Records Pakistan’s Lowest Rainfall This Monsoon Season

Sindh experienced the lowest rainfall in Pakistan this monsoon season, receiving 50.8 percent less than the average amount, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department's recent data. Karachi stood out with a staggering 92 percent rainfall deficit from July to September. The department reported that Pakistan received a total of 120.5 millimeters of rainfall between July 1 and September 30, a 19.3 percent drop from the normal level for the period.

Sindh's meager 71.1 millimeters of rain placed it at the bottom of the list. Balochistan was not far behind, with a rainfall deficit of 33.7 percent. The Azad Jammu and Kashmir province recorded 18.4 percent below-normal rainfall, followed by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa at 16.3 percent and Punjab at 3.8 percent below the norm. In contrast, Gilgit-Baltistan was the only region to receive above-normal rainfall, with precipitation 4.6 percent higher than usual.

The department attributed the country's below-normal monsoon rainfall to the formation and effects of El Nino, a meteorological phenomenon that can alter weather systems and weaken monsoon activity across South Asia. El Nino's influence was a significant factor behind this year's rainfall deficit. The department also noted that monsoon rainfall was significantly below normal in neighboring countries this year.

The rainfall shortfall has raised concerns about water availability, agricultural conditions, and overall weather patterns across Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, where the shortfall was most severe. Pakistan is bracing for a potential 25 percent water shortage during the upcoming Rabi season, which starts this week. This looming shortage has raised fears about food security next year, especially since wheat is the main crop of that season.