Pakistan experienced one of its heaviest monsoon seasons in decades, with rainfall arriving a week earlier than usual and causing widespread flooding across multiple provinces.

But in contrast to the wet summer, the Meteorological Department has warned that this winter may bring less than normal rainfall, raising fears of worsening air quality.

Early monsoon brought widespread flooding

From June to September, Pakistan received 23% more rainfall than average, according to the Meteorological Department. The heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leading to significant loss of life.

Punjab was the worst hit, recording 34% more rainfall than normal and breaking a half-century rainfall record in Sialkot. The deluge left large parts of the province submerged.

Other provinces also received above-normal rain:

Balochistan: 28% more rainfall
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 30% more rainfall
Sindh: 20% more rainfall
Azad Kashmir (AKK): 5% more rainfall
Gilgit-Baltistan: 2% more rainfall

Winter rainfall expected to decline

The deputy director of the Meteorological Department, Irfan Virk, told Samaa TV that unlike the unusually wet monsoon, rainfall in October, November, and December is likely to remain below average.

Read: Pakistan issues first alert for tropical cyclone

“Overall, the rainfall will be less than normal in October, November, and December. We are hoping that there will be less rainfall. Rain is expected in the coastal belt of Sindh in two to three days,” Virk said.

Poor air quality a growing concern

Meteorological officials have warned that less winter rainfall may worsen Pakistan’s air quality, as reduced precipitation could fail to wash away pollutants. This raises the risk of smog and fog, especially in urban centres such as Lahore and Karachi.

Environmental experts fear that the lack of winter rain may trigger a spike in respiratory illnesses and traffic hazards, underscoring the need for urgent measures to manage pollution levels.