The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a fresh Drought Advisory (Pre-Alert) warning of an increasingly critical situation across western and south-western Balochistan, where rainfall deficiency and consecutive dry days are worsening long-term drought patterns.
The new pre-alert expands on the drought watch first announced on 27 October 2025 and highlights that the rainfall deficit has further intensified between May and November, while an increase in Consecutive Dry Days (CDD) is raising concerns about mounting water scarcity and severe seasonal stress across multiple districts.
According to PMD’s advisory, the persistent rainfall shortage combined with above-normal temperatures forecast for December 2025 to February 2026 could accelerate drought intensity in the most vulnerable areas.
Based on the latest seasonal outlook issued by the Met Office, the region is expected to receive below-normal rainfall during the winter season, with higher than usual temperatures likely to complicate agricultural and pastoral conditions.
Districts including Chagai, Gwadar, Kech, Kharan, Mastung, Nushki, Pishin, Panjgur, Killa Abdullah, Quetta and Washuk have been placed under the “Drought Advisory (Pre-Alert)” category, reflecting the severity of water shortages that have persisted throughout the year.
Officials said that dryness indicators across these districts remain elevated and require continuous monitoring, particularly in remote and desert regions where communities are already facing depleted groundwater and shrinking grazing resources.
While the outlook remains concerning, the meteorological department has indicated that a rainfall system is expected to affect certain parts of Balochistan later in December. The expected precipitation may offer partial relief, although experts caution that limited rainfall may not reverse cumulative drought stress that has developed over several months
The National Drought Monitoring and Early Warning Centre (NDMC) in Islamabad stated that the situation will continue to be monitored closely, and updated advisories will be issued in line with evolving meteorological conditions.
Authorities have urged early preparedness by local administrations and communities, including positioning water tanks and fodder supplies in high-risk areas, mobilizing mobile veterinary and health teams for livestock, and circulating drought alerts through SMS, mosques and community centers to ensure awareness at the grassroots level.
The PMD also highlighted the need for coordination with humanitarian organizations and NGOs to support contingency measures, along with targeted subsidies for smallholder farmers already struggling with water shortages.
The advisory stressed the importance of improving water storage capacity, promoting efficient irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler farming, and encouraging careful use of water resources to avoid crop failures and livestock losses.
Officials have warned that without timely measures, the ongoing seasonal dryness could lead to further deterioration in agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods across western and south-western Balochistan.
