LAHORE: The Provincial Disas­ter Management Authority (PDMA) on Wednesday directed district ad­­ministrations of Punjab to prepare for a potential drought as the province faces a severe rains deficit.

The PDMA issued a high alert advisory stating that Punjab has received 38 per cent less rains than normal since September 2024, with southern districts particularly Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar Khan at the highest risk of drought.

The warning follows an advisory from the Pakistan Meteorological Depart­m­ent’s (PMD) National Drought Moni­toring Centre (NDMC), which reported a 40 per cent below-average rains in the country, with Sindh (-62pc) and Balochistan (-52pc) even worse affected.

The PDMA alert highlighted concerns over Rabi season crops, warning that prolonged dry spells could devastate agricultural output. Farmers in rice growing regions fear significant losses as water levels in Tarbela and Mangla dams have plummeted to dead levels.

PDMA says the province received 38pc less rains than normal since September 2024

PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia urged authorities to take pre-emptive measures in Thal and Cholistan.

“Farmers must be informed in advance about water shortage, and awareness campaigns should be launched through the School Education Department,” he said.

The NDMC reported that March 2025 temperatures were 2-3°C above normal in southern Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, exacerbating drought conditions. Some regions have endured over 200 consecutive dry days, severely depleting soil moisture.

The NDMC also warned of a potential “flash drought” a rapid-onset drought caused by sudden changes in temperatures and precipitation, which could further strain water resources in coming months.

Water scarcity has reached alarming levels, with Tarbela Dam at 1,402 feet and Mangla Dam at 1,061.75 feet —both below operational capacity. River flows are also at historically low levels, raising concerns for irrigation and drinking water supplies.

While light rain and thunderstorms are expected in upper Khyber Pakh­tunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and northern Balochistan on March 26, most of Punjab and Sindh will remain dry till March 30.

The PDMA has instructed all deputy commissioners and disaster management teams to hold emergency meetings and make plans to face the crisis.

The authorities have also been urged to implement water conservation measures and prepare relief plans for affected farmers..

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2025