Data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has revealed a significant shortfall in rainfall across the country, with May experiencing a staggering 66% below average precipitation.
This places May 2024 as the second driest month since 1961. Notably, the average rainfall for the month amounted to a mere 5mm.
Kakul, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, witnessed the highest single-day rainfall on May 13, 2024, recording 56.0mm. Throughout the entire month, Kakul registered the highest total rainfall, reaching 63.0mm.
In terms of temperatures, Pakistan recorded a national mean monthly temperature of 30.44°C in May 2024, deviating by 1.50°C from the average of 28.94°C.
During the daytime, the maximum temperature averaged at 38.33°C, marking an anomaly of +2.07°C compared to the typical 36.26°C. Conversely, the nighttime minimum temperature stood at 22.49°C, which was 1.37°C higher than the usual 21.12°C.
May 2024 saw Mohenjo-Daro, Sindh, experiencing the hottest day with a scorching maximum temperature of 52.5°C recorded on May 26th. Jacobabad maintained its position as the warmest place throughout May 2024, with a mean monthly maximum temperature of 46.7°C.
On the other end of the spectrum, Kalam in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa recorded the coldest night temperature of -1.5°C on May 1st, earning its status as the coolest place for the month with a mean monthly minimum temperature of 6.8°C.
