During 2026, Pakistan endured its hottest monsoon season in seven years, hitting a high of 48.5°C in Turbat, Balochistan, while widespread areas experienced below-average precipitation, the Pakistan Meteorological Department reported.
Weather patterns varied significantly across the nation, with Sindh and Balochistan suffering major rainfall deficits, while Gilgit-Baltistan managed to collect slightly higher precipitation than usual.
Extreme heat struck Turbat on July 7, 12, 30 and 31, driving temperatures to their seasonal peak. Conversely, Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan dropped to 6°C on September 23 and 26 as the season drew to a cooler close.
Sindh experienced a 51 percent drop in rainfall compared to typical monsoon levels, and Balochistan saw a 34 percent shortfall. Other areas also stayed below average, with Azad Jammu and Kashmir down 18 percent, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa down 16 percent, and Punjab down 4 percent.
Only Gilgit-Baltistan exceeded its seasonal average, logging a 5 percent surplus in rainfall.
Certain zones encountered intense downpours despite the general deficit. On July 23, Lahore airport absorbed 252 millimetres of rain in one day, and Gujranwala accumulated a total of 607mm over July.
These results demonstrate an irregular monsoon distribution, featuring severe deficits in certain zones and brief, heavy downpours in others. The PMD stated that the data alone does not prove climate change caused every temperature extreme or rainfall fluctuation.
