Pakistan is expected to experience one of its coldest winters in decades due to the La Nina climate pattern, according to a new report by the Intersector Coordination Group and its partners. The unusual weather system is likely to bring below-normal temperatures, particularly in mountainous areas such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan.
The report, based on the latest monsoon and weather data, warns that the La Nina climate pattern could place additional strain on communities already struggling from last year’s devastating floods. The colder-than-usual weather may worsen living conditions and disrupt the recovery process in affected regions.
A La Nina climate pattern develops when sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean cool abnormally, causing extreme weather events around the world. In Pakistan, this phenomenon is expected to influence both rainfall and temperature patterns through the remainder of the year.
According to the UN-OCHA’s October forecast, northern Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan may experience below-average rainfall. In contrast, southern regions including Sindh, Balochistan, and southern Punjab are likely to see near-normal precipitation.
The report highlights several potential impacts, including delays in Kharif crop harvesting due to isolated storms, increased risks of dengue outbreaks, glacial lake outburst floods, and reduced river inflows. Smog and air pollution are also expected to rise, while livestock health could deteriorate due to limited fodder availability.
Pakistan’s flood recovery remains slow, with more than 229,000 homes damaged or destroyed. Many families continue to live outdoors with limited access to healthcare and sanitation. Stagnant floodwaters have raised the risk of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and malaria.
The FAO’s assessment found that over 1.2 million hectares of farmland in Punjab were inundated, damaging key crops like rice, cotton, and sugarcane. As the country braces for a severe winter, authorities and humanitarian agencies are calling for urgent support to protect vulnerable communities from the worsening effects of climate change.
In other news read more about: Cold Weather Intensifies with Rain and Fog Predicted in Northern Pakistan
