Hottest monsoon in 66 years recorded

Temperatures hit 30.7°C as Sindh records a 51% rainfall deficit

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan's 2026 monsoon season has recorded the highest average temperature in 66 years, with the national average reaching 30.7 degrees Celsius and surpassing the previous record of 30.6°C set in 2019, according to a report issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

The record comes seven years after the previous peak, while most parts of the country received below-normal rainfall, with Sindh recording the largest shortfall.

According to the report, Turbat in Balochistan recorded a temperature of 48.5°C during the monsoon season. The season's hottest days in the area fell on July 7, 12, 30 and 31, spanning the beginning, middle and end of the month.

In contrast, Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan recorded a temperature of 6°C on September 23 and 26, reflecting the colder weather conditions towards the end of the monsoon season.

The report highlighted significant regional differences in rainfall, with most parts of the country receiving less rain than normal. Gilgit-Baltistan was the exception, recording above-normal rainfall.

According to the PMD data, monsoon rainfall in Sindh remained 51% below normal, while Balochistan recorded a shortfall of 34%. Rainfall in Azad Jammu and Kashmir was 18% below normal, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 16% and Punjab at 4%.

In contrast, Gilgit-Baltistan received 5% more rainfall than normal, making it the only region mentioned in the report to record above-normal monsoon precipitation.

Despite the overall rainfall shortfall across most regions, some areas experienced heavy downpours.

Lahore airport recorded 252 millimetres of rainfall in a single day on July 23, 2026, while Gujranwala received a cumulative total of 607mm during July.