Pakistan faces unusually high heat as temperatures soar above 30ºC in January.
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Town of Mitthi in Sindh hits 32°C in January, 4°C above typical winter temperatures
Wheat and chickpea crops already showing signs of damage from heat and lack of rain
Record-breaking temperatures in Pakistan have sparked concerns of an impending water crisis, as January readings soar 4 degrees Celsius above normal and snowfall plummets to less than a third of typical levels.
In Mitthi, a town in the southern Tharparkar region of Sindh province, temperatures have already hit 32°C, marking an unusual spike for winter months compared to the typical January average of 28°C.
Cooling off: A woman pours water over her face to beat the heat.
AFP
Meteorological Department Director General Sahibzad Khan told Nuktathat temperatures could reach 35°C in the capital Islamabad and surpass 40°C in parts of Sindh province by March, coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan, expected to begin March 2.
Why is this happening?
The director general attributed these unusually high temperatures to significantly reduced precipitation this year. While Pakistan typically receives snowfall covering 49% of its mountainous regions, this year it dropped to just 15%.
The reduced snowfall prevented proper ice accumulation, causing what little snow did fall to melt rapidly under the sun. Snow absorbs heat as it melts throughout the summer, reducing the overall heat in the atmosphere. Without this snow, the heat will be absorbed directly by bodies of water.
Consequently, Pakistan's rivers and reservoirs are expected to reach critically low levels during summer, raising serious concerns about water shortages. In response, authorities have issued early warnings to both government officials and farmers.
Agriculture under threat
The lack of rainfall has already taken a significant toll on Pakistan's wheat and chickpea crops. Agricultural experts report that wheat grains are weak and underdeveloped this season, indicating an imminent poor harvest. These conditions could severely impact food security across the country.
Crops are pictured, as persisting drought conditions and extreme heat have caused wilting diseases to spread through the soil, prevented tomato plants from pollinating, Maryland, U.S., August 7, 2024.
Reuters
The combination of soaring temperatures, impending water shortages, and declining crop yields suggests Pakistan faces a challenging summer ahead, further underscoring global climate concerns.
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