This decline is expected to pose significant challenges for the cultivation and health of Rabi crops across several regions.

In its three-month climate outlook, the PMD warned that rain-fed areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan are likely to face higher stress from a prolonged dry spell. According to the department, elevated temperatures during this period may also increase the threat of pest infestations.

Also Read: Smog, fog expected to intensify across Pakistan in coming days

The Met Office expects conditions to gradually improve by late January and into February, when more widespread rainfall is likely. The anticipated shift may help ease smog and fog conditions, replenish water reserves, and restore soil moisture.

The PMD urged farmers and agricultural authorities to take early precautionary measures to minimise losses, especially in rain-dependent zones.