Freezing months ahead, warn climate experts

'Intensified snowfall could disrupt energy access and strain food security'

ISLAMABAD:

Dr Pervaiz Amir, a prominent expert in environmental and agricultural affairs, has warned of a significantly harsher winter ahead, urging immediate preparations to protect vulnerable groups and ensure the security of gas supplies and crop management.

Speaking to a local news channel on Saturday, Dr Amir issued a stern forecast, predicting that the forthcoming winter will be considerably more severe than in previous years. He emphasised the urgent need for early action to safeguard energy resources, secure agricultural production, and protect vulnerable populations, including the elderly and children.

According to experts, the anticipated severity is linked to the strengthening of the La Niña weather pattern and trade winds, which are expected to bring increased frost and snowfall over the coming two to three months.

Dr Amir stressed the critical importance of preparing agricultural sites ahead of the harsh season, specifically urging farmers to sow resilient varieties of wheat, sugarcane, and fodder crops well in advance. He highlighted that timely planting and securing these crops are essential to maintain food security and ensure adequate nutrition for livestock during the severe winter months. Failure to act promptly could lead to reduced yields and jeopardise the livelihoods of rural communities dependent on agriculture.

Furthermore, Dr Amir cautioned that extreme weather conditions may disrupt gas supplies, complicating access to heating and energy for households and farming operations alike. With frost and snowfall expected to intensify, he called on all stakeholders—including government agencies, farmers, and local communities—to coordinate early preparedness measures.

He emphasised that protecting vulnerable populations while securing critical energy and agricultural resources will be vital to mitigating the impact of what promises to be one of the harshest winters in recent memory.

In response to a question, Dr Amir identified climate change as a key factor driving increasingly severe and unpredictable winters.