There could be three to four fresh spells of rain and snowfall this month (March), according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s forecast, but they are unlikely to enhance the amount of water available in major reservoirs, thus aggravating the current water stress.
The moderate drought-like conditions prevalent over south-west Balochistan might be aggravated to a severe level, while the existing mild drought conditions over Tharparker may worsen to moderate level due to less rainfall in March, the Pakistan Meteorological Department warned on Thursday.
The amount of winter rain and snowfall in Balochistan has been on the decline for some time, causing a water shortage in dams and affecting crops. The temperature, on average, has also been above normal in the country’s plains, especially in February. Meteorologists attribute the low rain phenomenon to changing environmental conditions caused by global warming.
The average temperatures across the country are likely to be slightly above normal this month. A westerly wave brought 26mm of rain to Quetta, 17mm rain to Ziarat, 12mm rain to Kalat.