Mercury dropping: When it rains, it doesn’t pour
The first rain spell may not be enough to ease the water shortage in the capital: experts.
ISLAMABAD:
Although winter’s first shower on Friday provided relief to Islamabadis from the long dry spell, it is only a drop in the ocean.
The volume of rainwater expected in the current spell, which experts called “scanty”, will be insufficient to address northern Pakistan’s water woes in the coming summer.
“This rain will make up for some water deficiency, but is not enough to recharge soil moisture and depleting water reservoirs,” said Pakistan Met Department Research and Development Chief Meteorologist Dr Ghulam Rasul. He added that the department is expecting one or two more light rains up to the first half of February in the Potohar region.
Rasul added that due to climate change, the weather patterns have changed, which is the reason behind the long dry spell that lasted from October to December.
Climate Affairs Adviser Dr Qamaruzzaman Chaudhary said, “The long dry spell of drought has affected the ground water system in Islamabad to some extent.” He added that compared to last year, a favourable average of snow or rain has not been recorded in the northern parts of the country.
“It hasn’t even snowed enough in Murree yet,” he said.
Still, Chaudhary said that this shower will give some relief to those people who have been suffering from multiple health issues caused by the dry season such as allergies. “This rain will somewhat help Islamabad and its surrounding areas. But the rainwater is not sufficient to recharge the stress conditions in the reservoirs of the twin cities,” he said.
He added, “This is a dry winter that we are seeing with not much rain since the past three months.”
However the dry spell in the region is by no means a drought. A recently released Met office report defined drought as when a region has extended periods (months or years) of water shortages, generally caused by below average rainfall. Although droughts can persist for several years, even a short, intense drought can cause significant damage.
People in Islamabad expressed joy over the first spell. Mehboob Butt was glad. “We have been waiting for it to rain for the past three months and [the rain gives us] a great feeling.”
With additional input from Sumera Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2012.
Although winter’s first shower on Friday provided relief to Islamabadis from the long dry spell, it is only a drop in the ocean.
The volume of rainwater expected in the current spell, which experts called “scanty”, will be insufficient to address northern Pakistan’s water woes in the coming summer.
“This rain will make up for some water deficiency, but is not enough to recharge soil moisture and depleting water reservoirs,” said Pakistan Met Department Research and Development Chief Meteorologist Dr Ghulam Rasul. He added that the department is expecting one or two more light rains up to the first half of February in the Potohar region.
Rasul added that due to climate change, the weather patterns have changed, which is the reason behind the long dry spell that lasted from October to December.
Climate Affairs Adviser Dr Qamaruzzaman Chaudhary said, “The long dry spell of drought has affected the ground water system in Islamabad to some extent.” He added that compared to last year, a favourable average of snow or rain has not been recorded in the northern parts of the country.
“It hasn’t even snowed enough in Murree yet,” he said.
Still, Chaudhary said that this shower will give some relief to those people who have been suffering from multiple health issues caused by the dry season such as allergies. “This rain will somewhat help Islamabad and its surrounding areas. But the rainwater is not sufficient to recharge the stress conditions in the reservoirs of the twin cities,” he said.
He added, “This is a dry winter that we are seeing with not much rain since the past three months.”
However the dry spell in the region is by no means a drought. A recently released Met office report defined drought as when a region has extended periods (months or years) of water shortages, generally caused by below average rainfall. Although droughts can persist for several years, even a short, intense drought can cause significant damage.
People in Islamabad expressed joy over the first spell. Mehboob Butt was glad. “We have been waiting for it to rain for the past three months and [the rain gives us] a great feeling.”
With additional input from Sumera Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2012.