Islamabad: Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a fresh Drought Advisory (Pre-Alert) after confirming that rainfall deficits across western and southwestern Balochistan have intensified sharply between May and November 2025, raising the risk of worsening drought conditions this month.
The alert, released on 5 December 2025, says consecutive dry days (CDD) have increased across the region, combining with below-normal rains and rising temperatures to push Balochistan deeper into drought stress.
Officials warned that the severity of dryness is now higher than the last advisory issued on 27 October 2025.
PMD data shows rainfall departures across key districts remained negative throughout the May–November period, with stations like Pasni, Turbat, Quetta, Dalbandin, Nokkundi, Jiwani and Panjgur recording substantial deficits. Maps included in the advisory indicate widespread dryness and extended dry spells, particularly in southern and western Balochistan.
According to the National Drought Monitoring and Early Warning Centre (NDMC), climatological patterns and the seasonal outlook for December 2025 to February 2026 point towards below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures, conditions expected to further aggravate drought across the province.
As a result, PMD has placed the districts of Chagai, Gwadar, Kech, Kharan, Mastung, Nushki, Pishin, Panjgur, Killa Abdullah, Quetta, and Washuk under the “Drought Advisory (Pre-Alert)” category. These areas are likely to experience continued dryness, although a possible rainfall system later this month may provide partial relief if it materialises.
The NDMC said it is continuously monitoring indicators and urged all stakeholders — particularly farmers, irrigation planners, livestock departments, and local administrations — to remain vigilant and follow updated advisories available on the PMD website.
Authorities have recommended urgent anticipatory actions to minimise potential losses to crops, livestock and livelihoods. These include pre-positioning fodder and water tanks, mobilising mobile health and veterinary teams, and issuing water-use advisories through SMS, mosques and community hubs.
The advisory also calls for coordination with NGOs and disaster management agencies to support contingency plans, including targeted subsidies for smallholder farmers. Strengthening water storage and promoting efficient irrigation practices in hotspot union councils has also been recommended.
The drought alert has been circulated to the Prime Minister’s Office, NDMA, PDMA Balochistan, the Ministry of Climate Change and Water Resources, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, IRSA and the media.
PMD has cautioned that the evolving conditions require close monitoring and immediate preparedness measures across drought-prone districts to protect agriculture, livestock resources and rural communities over the coming months.