The drought situation in Balochistan has further worsened due to a prolonged lack of rainfall, raising serious concerns about water shortages and deteriorating living conditions across large parts of the region.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a pre-alert advisory report warning that many western and south-western districts of Balochistan have received no rainfall for nearly a year.
According to the advisory, Quetta and Jiwani have recorded 314 consecutive dry days, while Quetta and Panjgur have gone 234 days without rain. The report noted 263 dry days in Nokkundi and 275 dry days in Dalbandin.
The report further stated that Quetta recorded another 103 consecutive dry days, Turbat 101 days, and Pasni 80 days without rainfall. Districts severely affected by drought include Quetta, Chagai, Gwadar, Kech, Kharan, Mastung, Noshki, Pishin, Killa Abdullah, Panjgur and Washuk.
The meteorological department reported drastic rainfall deficiencies between May and November, with 100 percent rainfall reduction in Panjgur and Jiwani, 99 percent in Dalbandin and Nokkundi, 87 percent in Quetta, 64 percent in Quetta and Turbat, and 50 percent in Pasni.
The PMD has advised the government to implement precautionary measures, including ensuring efficient use of water in affected areas and launching public awareness campaigns on water conservation. It has also recommended that health and veterinary mobile teams be dispatched in Quetta to assist communities in drought-hit regions.