Looming dry disaster

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The threat of a severe drought is becoming more and more real, with a recent Pakistan Meteorological Department alert noting that some regions of the country are facing rainfall deficits as high as 62%. Such conditions not only threaten the agricultural sector, which is vital for the nation's economy but also have far-reaching implications for food security and livelihoods.

With over 200 consecutive days of dry spells in some southern regions, farmers are left in a state of despair as their livelihoods disappear in the face of relentless scarcity. This situation is particularly dire in Sindh and Balochistan, where the most severe shortfalls have been recorded.

Pakistan's agricultural sector contributes nearly a quarter of the country's GDP and employs around 37% of the labour force. Consequently, the ramifications of prolonged drought extend beyond failed crops to include job losses and increased poverty.

The drought conditions are being exacerbated by a combination of climate change, mismanagement of resources and an ever-growing population. Policymakers' failure to address these issues is why the country's principal water reservoirs are all hitting dangerously low levels while demand for water remains unsustainable - even in rainy years — because of the continuing shift to water-intensive crops.

Meanwhile, lack of rain also causes air pollution levels to rise, feeding into our air quality crisis. The buildup of smog from vehicles and farmers burning crop remnants is now a constant feature, only dissipating when the rains wash them out of the air.

The combined effects of drought and pollution highlight the urgent need for comprehensive policy reforms that emphasise sustainable water management, investments in climate-resilient agriculture and a shift toward diversifying water sources. Continuing the policies that have led to constant alternating risks of floods or drought risks creating irreversible food security and public health crises.