September 2025 Was the Fifth Warmest Month in 65 Years, PMD Warns of Alarming Climate Shift

The PMD’s national weather summary for September 2025 offers a comprehensive analysis of rainfall, temperature, and weather anomalies recorded across Pakistan.
The data highlights that the national average temperature remained significantly above the 30-year normal, making September 2025 the fifth warmest month since 1960.

PMD officials noted that the average rainfall across the country was 32.5 mm, marking a 52% increase over the normal level. The department emphasized that both temperature and rainfall variations point to intensifying climatic instability — a trend consistent with global warming projections by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Source: PMD Official Report

Rainfall Patterns: 52% Above Normal

While Pakistan has faced severe monsoon variability in recent years, September 2025 was particularly wet compared to historical averages.
The PMD report revealed that the average national rainfall of 32.5 mm was 52% higher than normal.
The heaviest downpour occurred in Thatta, Sindh, which recorded a staggering 110 mm on September 10 — the highest single-day rainfall of the month.

Meteorologists say that this increase in intense, localized rainfall is linked to shifting monsoon patterns caused by rising sea surface temperatures in the Arabian Sea.
Such anomalies have previously resulted in urban flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Badin, posing grave challenges to drainage and infrastructure systems.

Extreme Heat in Balochistan: Turbat and Sibi Scorch

While Sindh experienced heavy rainfall, Balochistan faced extreme heatwaves.
According to PMD data, Turbat and Sibi emerged as the hottest locations during the month, enduring daytime temperatures above 42°C.

Experts at the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC) warn that southern Balochistan’s rising heat levels are part of a larger warming trend that could worsen drought conditions and reduce agricultural productivity.
These regions, already water-stressed, are becoming increasingly uninhabitable during summer months due to persistent heat extremes.

Skardu: The Coldest Region in Pakistan

In sharp contrast, Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan recorded the lowest average minimum temperature in the country at 11.3°C.
Despite being the coldest location, the northern region is also experiencing unusual weather shifts, with rapid glacier melt followed by unseasonal snow events.

PMD scientists note that Skardu’s climate volatility mirrors global patterns observed in mountain ecosystems affected by climate-induced glacial retreat.
This trend threatens water availability downstream, especially in the Indus Basin, which sustains 90% of Pakistan’s agricultural output.

Pakistan’s Warming Trend Over the Decades

Historical PMD data reveals that Pakistan’s average temperature has risen by nearly 1°C since the 1960s, with a clear acceleration in the past two decades.
The five warmest Septembers on record have all occurred after 2000, underscoring the rapid pace of climate change in the region.

According to World Bank climate reports, Pakistan is among the top 10 countries most affected by climate change, facing frequent floods, prolonged heatwaves, and erratic rainfall.
This trend not only affects public health but also poses severe economic risks for sectors like agriculture, energy, and water management.

Resource: World Bank Climate Data

Climate Experts Urge Adaptation Measures

Environmental experts across Pakistan are calling for urgent adaptation and resilience-building measures.
Dr. Ayesha Khan, a senior climatologist at PMD Islamabad, stressed that the September 2025 fifth warmest in past 65 years should be seen as a critical warning sign.

“We are entering a phase where temperature extremes and rainfall anomalies will become the new normal,” she said. “Without robust climate adaptation frameworks, Pakistan’s socio-economic stability will remain at risk.”

NGOs and environmental think tanks, including the Pakistan Climate Council, are advocating for green infrastructure, water conservation projects, and renewable energy transitions to mitigate these risks.

Government and PMD’s Future Projections

The government, in collaboration with UNDP and WMO, is expanding its Early Warning Systems (EWS) and National Climate Resilience Program to address rising threats.
PMD’s forecast models suggest that winter 2025-26 may also experience higher-than-normal temperatures, continuing the warming trend.

Additionally, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC) plans to integrate PMD’s data into the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), focusing on climate-smart agriculture, disaster preparedness, and community-level awareness programs.

Link: Pakistan Climate Adaptation Plan 2025

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Pakistan

The PMD’s declaration that September 2025 was the fifth warmest month in 65 years is not just a statistic — it’s a powerful warning about Pakistan’s escalating climate crisis.
The combination of intense rainfall, prolonged heatwaves, and shifting seasonal patterns reflects the country’s growing climate vulnerability.

With scientific evidence mounting and communities already feeling the impact, urgent policy action is essential.
Strengthening climate resilience, expanding renewable energy, and investing in water conservation are no longer optional — they are vital for Pakistan’s survival in an era of global warming.