Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned that a flash drought is likely to emerge in Pakistan, particularly in the country’s southern parts. This is due to below-normal rainfall and soaring temperatures experienced during May, which included a consistent heatwave period.

Flash droughts occur when low rainfall is coupled with abnormally high temperatures, such as heat waves, over a short period. These droughts develop and intensify rapidly, often within weeks or even days. The rapid changes can quickly increase evapotranspiration rates, leading to a significant depletion of available water in the top layer of the soil.

May has witnessed 64% less than normal rainfall and a similar trend is likely to continue during the current month, Business Recorder reported.

According to the sources, the months of May and June are typically the hottest months of the year in the region, with a higher probability of experiencing heat waves.

Over the last three weeks, there has been an abrupt increase in both daytime and nighttime temperatures, leading to the observation of heatwave episodes. This rapid rise in temperatures has resulted in an increase in land surface temperature and evaporative demands, which in turn has led to soil moisture stress.

The sources have indicated that the drought-vulnerable districts in the southern half of Pakistan, including Sindh, Balochistan, and southern Punjab, such as Tharparkar, Cholistan, and Thal, as well as rain-fed regions, are likely to experience flash drought conditions in the coming days.

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According to the PMD sources, based on the climatology and current weather forecasts for June, the drought conditions are likely to worsen and negatively impact agriculture, water resources, and livestock, before the arrival of the summer monsoon.

The sources have emphasized that flash droughts can have a substantial impact on agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems. These rapid-onset droughts can lead to crop failures, wildfires, and water scarcity.