PAKISTAN: Summer temperature drop - reducing chance of flooding

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

ISLAMABAD, 13 Jun 2005 (IRIN) - After a week of scorching heat with above average temperatures across the country, the weather will cool this week, an official at the national meteorological office said. This means there should be a decrease in the rate of melting snow, lessening the risk of flooding in some areas of Pakistan.

At least 10 people have died and scores have been treated in hospital for sunstroke in the last week as an intense heatwave gripped southern and central parts of the country with temperatures ranging from 45 to 51 Celsius. Hospitals also reported a 35 percent increase in diarrhoea cases in Punjab province.

According to Muhammad Hanif, of the meteorological office in the capital, Islamabad, temperatures were eight to 10 percent above normal in the southern provinces of Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab and about three to four percent higher in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and in northern areas.

"There is no likely imminent threat of floods in any of the area, as the snowmelt has decreased due to lower temperatures and cloudy conditions in northern hilly areas since yesterday [Sunday]," he added. Despite this, water availability in the nation's reservoirs has not increased significantly.

"This year after heavy winter snowfall and rain, drought conditions have been alleviated to some extent. But, low temperatures in May, which is considered a hot summer month, have not so far added much snowmelt to our water reservoirs," Hanif said. "But, we are hopeful that monsoon rains will help fill up reservoirs to meet our agricultural requirements."

Pakistan has faced severe drought in recent years. Last summer, the country experienced around a 50 percent shortfall in water supplies for agricultural irrigation purposes.

[ENDS]