The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) dismissed claims of an intensely cold winter driven by La Niña, stating no scientific evidence supports such predictions. Instead, the Met Office forecasts mild cold waves from western winds and below-normal rainfall from December to February.
The Intersector Coordination Group (ISCG) and UN-OCHA had warned of a severe winter due to La Niña, potentially straining flood-affected areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). La Niña, caused by cooler Pacific sea temperatures, can disrupt global weather. The PMD refuted this, emphasising milder conditions.
Rebuttal to Misleading Claims Regarding “Extremely Cold Winter” in Pakistan#PMDOfficial #WinterForecast2025 #PakistanWeather #ClimateFacts #SayNoToMisinformation #TrustOfficialSources #WeatherUpdate #LaNinaImpact #StayInformed #PMDClarification pic.twitter.com/MZ3OMwsgtu
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) October 16, 2025UN-OCHA’s report predicts below-normal rainfall in northern Punjab, KP, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and GB, with near-normal precipitation in Sindh, Balochistan, and southern Punjab. Potential impacts include:
- Storms are disrupting the Kharif crop harvests.
- Dengue risks from stagnant water.
- Glacial lake outburst floods in mountainous areas.
- Reduced irrigation inflows.
- Increased smog and air pollution.
- Livestock health and fodder challenges due to warmer temperatures.
Read: Pakistan Braces for Coldest Winter in Decades Due to La Niña Amid Flood Crisis
The PMD’s clarification counters misinformation, guiding recovery efforts in flood-hit regions. Accurate forecasts aid agriculture and health planning.
