Sindh is set to experience continued cold and dry weather, with misty and foggy conditions expected in central and upper districts, according to the latest weather forecasts. Meanwhile, light rain or snow is predicted in isolated areas of north-western Balochistan, Upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan during the evening and night hours.
A shallow westerly wave is expected to affect the western and northern parts of the country starting Tuesday evening, while continental air dominates the rest of the region. Karachi will see sunny weather with temperatures ranging between 9°C and 11°C and a humidity level of 51%.
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Cities like Nawabshah, Sukkur, and Mohenjo-Daro will face dense fog, with temperatures dropping as low as 2°C in Mithi and 3°C in Mohenjo-Daro. In Dadu, sunny weather is expected with temperatures around 5°C to 6°C, and Hyderabad will experience pleasant sunny conditions with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 12°C.
Over the next 48 hours, cold and dry weather will persist across the country, with hilly areas experiencing partly cloudy conditions. Dense fog is likely to continue affecting the plains of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and upper Sindh during night and early morning hours.
Prolonged Dry Winter Raises Concerns of Water Shortage
The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are grappling with an unusually dry winter, now exceeding 3.5 months without significant rainfall. This drought has caused water levels in the region’s main dams to drop, with groundwater levels plunging as deep as 800 feet.
In addition to water scarcity, the lack of rain has worsened air pollution, with Islamabad recording an air quality index (AQI) of 204, a dangerously high level, and Rawalpindi at 170. Dust has blanketed recreational areas, and agricultural production in the Potohar region is under threat, especially wheat cultivation.
The Agriculture Department has called for prayers for rain as the drought has persisted well beyond the usual winter rainfall period, further compounding concerns about water and crop shortages.