UN-OCHA reported that Pakistan faces one of its coldest winters in decades due to the La Niña climate pattern. Cooling Pacific sea temperatures trigger global weather shifts, straining flood-affected households in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
The report notes that the marginally negative El Niño Southern Oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole phases are driving rainfall. Northern Punjab, KP, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and GB expect below-normal precipitation, while Sindh, Balochistan, and southern Punjab may see near-normal levels.
Expected impacts include:
- Kharif crop disruptions from storms.
- Dengue outbreaks occur in stagnant water.
- Glacial lake outburst floods in upper regions.
- Reduced river inflows affecting irrigation.
- Elevated smog and air pollution in the plains.
- Livestock health issues from above-normal temperatures.
Weekly Weather Outlook (October 13-19, 2025)#WeeklyWeather #weatheroutlook #continentalair #dryweather #coldweather #northernareasofpakistan pic.twitter.com/fmzhJ4AB2m
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) October 13, 2025Three months post-floods, humanitarian aid wanes. Initial stocks have been depleted, and partners are seeking funding for the transition to early recovery. Over 229,760 homes damaged leave families exposed to elements and diseases like cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid, malaria, and dengue.
Floods inundated 1.2 million hectares in Punjab, destroying rice, cotton, and sugarcane fields during the Rabi planting season. FAO assessments highlight threats to food security. Lost livestock, fodder, and machinery hinder income recovery. Schools and health facilities remain mud-covered, disrupting services and increasing reliance on rations.
Farmers Weather Update Pakistan | 13 October 2025 | PMD#FarmersWeather #AgroWeather #PMD #CottonCrops #RiceCrops #WeatherUpdate #PakistanWeather #DryWeather pic.twitter.com/jFg4L8Gjrv
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) October 13, 2025La Niña’s cold snap exacerbates flood vulnerabilities, risking health crises and economic setbacks. Urgent funding and reforms are essential for resilience.
