Rainfall was recorded in isolated places of the country (Malam Jabba, Saidul Sharif, Mirpur Khas, Mithi, Thatta, Chor, Lahore, Zhob, Resbela and some areas of Potohar and Kashmir) during this week (22nd-30th June 2024). Spatial distribution of rainfall is shown in Figure 5. Figure 6 shows deviation of rainfall from normal (1991-2020). Most of the areas received above normal rainfall except Kashmir, central and northern Punjab and coastal areas of Baluchistan where rainfall was below normal. Average temperature was above normal in most of the country except few stations at Bahawalnagar, Multan, Sibi, Paddidan, Jiwani, Dir, Chitral, Gupis and Skardu.
The spatial distribution of mean temperatures for the aforementioned weeks is shown in Figure 7 and the deviation of mean temperatures from normal (1991-2020) is shown in Figure 8. The mean temperatures are above normal across the country by 1°C to 6°C. On the other hand, some stations like Bahawalnagar, Multan, Sibi, Paddidan, Jiwani, Dir, Chitral, Gupis and Skardu recorded temperatures 1°C to 2°C below normal. Surface soil moisture from 18th to 24th June 2024 is shown in Figure 11. Surface soil moisture condition in the northern part of the country is drier than the central and southern parts.
The spatial distribution of normal rainfall is shown in Figure 9. Normal rainfall ranges from 0 to 26 millimeters (mm) in most parts of the country and mainly ranges from 26.1 to 66 mm in Kashmir and adjoining areas such as Murli and Abbottabad. Meanwhile, the normal average temperature during this period is shown in Figure 10. Temperature ranges from 18°C to 40°C.
Figure 11 shows surface soil moisture from June 18 to 24, 2024. This product is based on NASA surface water storage observations derived from GRACE-FO satellite data and integrated with other observations using advanced numerical models of surface water and energy processes. The drought index represents current wet or dry conditions and is expressed as a percentile indicating the probability of occurrence at a particular location and time. Lower values (warmer colors) mean drier than normal, while higher values (blue colors) mean wetter than normal.
Forecast period: July 1, 2024 to July 7, 2024
Rainfall is expected over most of Pakistan except central and southern Balochistan provinces from 1 to 7 July 2024. As per the forecast, temperatures in the above mentioned regions are expected to decrease. As a result, flash drought conditions in the southern and southwestern parts of the country are expected to be relieved.
For more detailed forecast information, please visit the PMD official website: https://nwfc.pmd.gov.pk/new/press-releases.php
For more drought updates, please visit the official NDMC website: https://ndmc.pmd.gov.pk/new/
