Pakistan drought dents winter harvest

Farmers and experts said Thursday that Pakistan's breadbasket provinces are grappling with a severe winter drought. A 40% drop in rainfall is devastating crops and threatening livelihoods.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported that Punjab, the country’s farming heartland, received 42% less rainfall between September and mid-January. Sindh and Balochistan saw even sharper declines, with rainfall 52% and 45% below normal levels, respectively.

Farmers in Punjab have seen staple crops such as potatoes and wheat suffer dramatically. Malik Asghar, chairman of Punjab's Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association, described the financial toll:

"Potato yields are half of what we usually get. Instead of 100 to 120 sacks per acre, farmers are barely managing 60 sacks this season," he said.

The drought has also hit wheat farmers hard. Ishfaq Ahmad Jatt, a farmer in Multan, lamented the changing weather patterns:

"Five years ago, winter rains would last a week. They were enough for us. Now, if it doesn’t rain soon, production could drop by 50%," Jatt said.

Climate change and mismanagement

Pakistan, home to over 240 million people, ranks among the nations most vulnerable to climate change. The country relies heavily on the Indus River for water, but a growing population, poor resource management, and over-reliance on this single source exacerbate water scarcity.

Less than three years ago, record monsoon rains caused catastrophic floods, submerging a third of the country—including key agricultural areas in Sindh and Punjab.

The aftermath, combined with the ongoing drought, is pushing many small-scale farmers to abandon agriculture for other livelihoods.

Punjab, already choking under severe winter smog caused by vehicle emissions and crop residue burning, has seen no respite. The usual rains that temporarily clear airborne pollution have failed to arrive, leaving the province blanketed by hazardous smog levels.

Looking ahead

The PMD has warned of “flash droughts” in the warmer months, raising fears of further stress on Pakistan’s agriculture and water systems.

As the country grapples with the devastating effects of climate change, experts highlight the urgent need for sustainable water management and adaptation strategies to secure its agricultural future.