ISLAMABAD: The country received 33.2 percent less rainfall than normal during October-March last year. Due to low rainfall in winter, drought situation may arise in the districts of South Balochistan and Sindh.

Drought may affect agriculture and livestock in the affected districts. The Meteorological Department has issued a formal drought alert. According to the alert issued by the Meteorological Department, during October-March, Balochistan received 63.3 per cent below normal rainfall, Sindh 77.3 per cent, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 44.2 per cent, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir 19.8 per cent below normal rainfall. There was 46.7% more rain than usual.

The alert said that moderate drought is likely in Chaghi, Gwadar, Harnai, Ketch, Kharan, Mastung, Noshki, Pishin, Panjgur and Washik in Balochistan while Badin, Qambar Shahdadkot, Mirpur Khas, Umerkot, Sanghar and Thatta in southern parts of Sindh. There is also a risk of mild drought in Tharparkar Sujawal. Stakeholders have been directed to take precautionary measures to deal with the drought while keeping themselves updated with the meteorological department.