The warning given by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Punjab on Wednesday said that there are growing fears of drought in the country due to continuous dry weather has set off alarm bells ringing. The PDMA has said that there has been no rain or snow in any part of the country for the last two months, which has exacerbated the situation. On the other hand, just like other parts of the world, Pakistan, too, is in the grip of the weather phenomenon, El Niño, which has resulted in dry weather and extreme wintery conditions. Unfortunately, neither the government of Pakistan paid heed to the alerts issued by the world’s leading meteorological departments about the start of the phenomenon in April 2023, which began to strengthen two months later in June, nor is it interested in addressing the situation today. There are fears that dry weather may not only lead to a shortage of water in rivers but may also have adverse effects on the ecosystem of mountainous areas. Apart from that, the level of underground water in the country’s plains is also dropping at a rapid pace.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)