CLIMATE

• UNIT # 2

SIR KHURRAM IQBAL

 CLIMATE AND WEATHER

■ Climate: Weather is generalization of the day to day weather conditions

over a long period of time usually thirty years.
■ Weather: Weather refers to the atmospheric conditions of any place for a
short period of time (temporary changes in the climate)

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 Difference Between Weather And
Climate
WEATHER: Weather is what CLIMATE: Climate is how the
conditions of the atmosphere are atmosphere "behaves" over relatively
over a short period of time. long periods of time.

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 CLIMATIC ZONES OF PAKISTAN

• HIGHLAND ZONE:
• REGION: NORTHERN, NORTH WESTERN AND WESTERN HIGHLANDS.
• AREAS: CHITRAL, MURREE, MUZZAFARABAD, DROSH, QUETTA, KALAT, PARACHINAR, WAZIRISTAN
• CLIMATE: THE WINTERS ARE LONG, COLD AND SNOWY AND SUMMERS REMAIN SHORT AND MILD
• RAINFALL IS NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH ALTITUDE. RAINFALL IN NORTHERN MOUNTAIN IS
HIGHEST IN THE HIGHLAND ZONE.
• RAINFALL IN THE WESTERN MOUNTAIN IS LESS
• THE TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS ALSO VARY FROM NORTH TO WEST DEPENDING ON THE ALTITUDE.

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SIR KHURRAM IQBAL
■ North: Summers are short and mild because of
transfer of heat from central Pakistan and high
angle of sun.
■ Winters are very cold because of high altitude
and low angle of sun.
■ West: summers are dry and warm in Western
mountain because of continental effect, aridity
and high angle of sun
■ Winters are mild warm because of low angle of
sun, altitude and Western Depressions.
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• The growth of tress is retarded because of severe cold winters. At
some places rivers and torrents also freeze and during winter farming
is not practiced and people are involved in indoor activities.

Transhumance is also practiced People live their as

nomadic herdsman
Many northern areas are not accessible due to landslides
and heavy snowfall
Lack of water supple discourages human settlements

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LOWLAND ZONE – SEMI ARID TO ARID

• Region: Indus plain except the coastal areas.

• Areas: Islamabad, Sialkot, Sargodha, Multan, Jacobabad, and Sukkur
• Climate:
• It has arid and extreme climate with hot summers, cool winters and
summer monsoon rainfall.
• Thunderstorms are also common in north and north-west of the Indus
plain. The upper Indus plain and lower Indus plain there’s less rainfall
and spells of very high temperature.
• Winters are cool-mild because of low angle of sun and continental
effect and summers are hot due to high angle of sun and continental
effect.

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 LIFE AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES:
■ The plain is drained through four tributaries of Indus River,
economically; it is the most productive region of Pakistan. There is a
well developed canal system and many crops are grown there such as
millet, wheat, cotton and sugarcane
■ Population is high and there’s moderate rainfall and tolerable
temperature.

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 Coastal Zone
• Region: Indus delta, Karachi and Makran coast areas: Karachi, Jiwani,
Pasni, Ormara and Gwadar climate:
• The climate is dominated by sea breezes throughout the year; the
maritime influence keeps the daily temperature low. The temperature
on land and sea is different; land and water absorb the sun’s heat and
water and also radiate it. In summer the land heats up, while ocean
remains cool. In winter the land loses heat quickly and becomes cold
while ocean remains hot.
• The humidity level is usually high, more than 50% from April to
September. Means monthly temperature is 32۫ C and may, June and
October are the hottest month.
• During October the climate is dominated by dry winds from south-
eastern desert. Rainfall is scanty; the rainfall is experienced during
monsoon season.

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 LIFE AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES:
the rainfall takes place during monsoon season, many tourist visit Karachi
in November and February and most of the social events are held in these
months. the extent of precipitation affects the supply of drinking water in
Gwadar. the development of Gwadar port had made is a major district of
Pakistan and had contributed in the economic development of
Baluchistan.
economic activities could be carried out throughout the year because of
moderate climate. farming is possible, the sea ports are operational
throughout the year in order to carry international trade, roads and rail
transport links are never closed in the year for the businesses, air flights
are rarely cancelled, all types of industries are present there.
however, during summer months, tropical cyclones sometimes cause
coastal flooding in low-lying areas causing damage to infrastructure.
fishing is nearly impossible when the sea is wild and fishing communities
face losses.
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 Arid Zone
Regions: south-eastern desert, and south-western Balochistan
Areas: Kharran Desert south-western Balochistan, south-eastern desert.
Climate:
It is markedly dry and hot. Hot dusty winds prevail continuously from mid
–May to mid-September, rainfall takes place during winter season in
south-western Balochistan, in south eastern desert monsoons bring little
rainfall. Extreme heat, dust storms are the main features of this arid
climate.
Winters are cool-mild because of low angle of sun, summers are hot
because of high angle of sun. Summers are very hot during the day.

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 Life And Economic Activities
• The region is deficient of moisture.
• The temperature is so extreme that it isn’t suitable for habitation or
cultivation.
• The majority of people are nomadic, they move from one place to
another with their animals.
• Because rainfall is very low that’s why unique system of karez is
established.
• Through perennial canals many areas are irrigated.
• People there wear thick and rough clothes in order to protect them
from extreme heat.
• They move from one place to another in search of water.
 • Source of rainfall
• Little rainfall from western depression and monsoon winds.
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 SEASONS OF PAKISTAN

■ Pakistan has four seasons

■ Winter (mid December to March)
■ Early summer (April to June)
■ Late summer (July to September)
■ Post monsoon (October to Mid December)

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 Rainfall
The quantity of water, expressed in inches, precipitated as rain, snow,
hail, or sleet in a specified area and time interval.
Only in a few northern areas humid conditions are found. The rainfall in
Pakistan is highest in northern areas decreases towards south.
Sources of rainfall in Pakistan:
Monsoon winds
The Western Depression
Convectional Currents
Relief rainfall
Tropical cyclones
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 Monsoon Winds:
Monsoon winds are seasonal winds which blow during summer and
winter. The summer winds are called South-west monsoons and the
winter winds are called North-east monsoons.
South-west monsoon are giant sea breezes which bring rainfall. the rains
began when the ocean are less heated and land is more heated. The air
from the land rises developing a low pressure and it attracts the cool air
causing heavy rainfall.
North-east monsoons blow from the land towards the sea.

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 Western Depression
■ Western Depression are the cyclones
which originate in Mediterranean Sea,
they travel across Afghanistan and Iran
and then reach the western part of
Pakistan. The moisture in the air is
evaporated causing rainfall.

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 CONVECTIONAL CURRENTS
Hot air rises during summer and when it reaches the high layer of
atmosphere, condensation takes place causing rainfall. Strong winds
accompanying the storms may pick up dust with them
Only northern and north western areas of Pakistan receive rainfall from
Convectional currents. Southern Pakistan despite being more hot then
the northern areas experience less rainfall because of temperature
inversion layer.

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 RELIEF RAINFALL:

■ Relief rainfall is related to the height of

land. It occurs where moist unstable air
moves up a mountain edge and it is chilled,
heavy condensation takes place and rainfall
occurs.

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 TROPICAL CYCLONES:
■ Tropical cyclones bring heavy rainfall for few hours and can cause a lot of
destruction. They originate in Arabian Sea quite often but rarely reach
the coast of Pakistan. Therefore, this source of rainfall is totally
unreliable.

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 SOURCES OF RAINFALL:

■ Relief rainfall
■ Monsoon rainfall
■ Thunderstorms
■ Western Depression

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 SOURCES OF RAINFALL:

■ Convectional rainfall in northern Punjab

■ Western depression in northern Punjab
■ Monsoon rainfall

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SIR KHURRAM IQBAL
Factors affecting temperature of
Pakistan
Latitudinal effect:
The areas that lie near the equator encounter more amounts of sun rays than the
areas that don’t lie near the equator. Southern Pakistan receives more amounts of
sun rays as compared to Northern Pakistan.
Continental effect:
The areas that are away from the sea are unaffected by maritime influence,
consequently; they are more hot as compared to areas near sea. Winters are
extreme and summer temperatures are quite severe
Altitude and temperature Cloud cover and temperature
In daytime cloud cover reduces the amount of heat by reflecting the heat back to
the space but in night time it traps the out going heat and because of this the
cloudy nights are warm.
Latitude and angle of sun
The sun rays don’t fall at the same angle everywhere.
During summer, the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun and the
northern areas of Pakistan absorb more heat because of high angle of sun, during
winter the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun and the northern
areas experience sun for shorter duration.
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 RIVER FLOOD
■ Overflow of large amount of water beyond its
normal limit, especially over what is normally dry
land.
■ Rivers are considered by many people around the
country as the best place for economic
development. Water is tentatively an imperative
resource for human beings but its excess may lead
to disaster. Excessive water in rivers bring flood

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 REASONS OF FLOODS
• THE CURRENT FLOODING IN PAKISTAN IS MAINLY DUE TO CLIMATE
CHANGE. IT IS THE UNUSUAL CLIMATE-CHANGE-LED SEASONAL
CYCLE OF LAND TEMPERATURE IN PAKISTAN THAT HAS
EXACERBATED THE MONSOON RAINFALL AND PRODUCED THE
HUGEST VOLUME OF WATER IN THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINOUS
REGION OF THE COUNTRY EVER RECORDED IN THE HISTORY,
CAUSING FLOODS IN THE INDUS RIVER BASIN.
• THE WOOD IS IN DEMAND AND BECAUSE OF THIS THERE’S
EXCESSIVE CUTTING OF TRESS WHICH INCREASES SURFACE RUN
OFF, THE TREES MANGROVES ACT AS A BARRIER AND THEY CAN
PROTECT THE SETTLEMENTS FROM FLOODS BUT BECAUSE OF
INCREASING INDUSTRIALIZATION AND URBANIZATION THE WATER
POLLUTION IS INCREASING THREATENING MANGROVES
• THE EMBANKMENTS AROUND THE RIVER ARE NOT HEIGHTENED,
WATER EASILY REACHES THE SETTLEMENTS.
• THE DAMS DON’T HAVE MUCH CAPACITY TO STORE WATER AND
BECAUSE OF THIS EXTRA WATER IS NOT STORE CAUSING FLOOD.

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WAYS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FLOODS

• PLANTING MORE TREES IN ORDER TO KEEP CHECK OF THE FLOW OF

WATER BUILD LEVEES IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF
FLOODWATER
• STOP BUILDING ON FLOODPLAINS BUILD FLOOD CONTROLLING DAMS.
• BUILDING CANALS (DRAINS OF EXTRA WATER).
• USING LESS GREENHOUSE GASES AND REDUCING POLLUTION IN
ORDER TO STOP GLOBAL WARMING WHICH IS ONE OF THE MAJOR
CAUSES OF FLOODS
• PREVENT SOIL EROSION.
• DO NOT BUILD ON HIGH FLOOD RISK AREA.
• FLOOD WARNING SHOULD BE GIVEN THROUGH MEDIA
• FLOODWATER MUST BE DRAINED OUT AND FACILITIES TO THE
REFUGEES MUST BE PROVIDED

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 EFFECTS OF FLOOD

• The farmers aren’t able to use the land until the water drains; they
face destruction of crops and loss of food supplies. The load of river
improve the fertility of land
• The houses will cut off from the shops and services, mud houses are
damaged and water-borne diseases are spread
• The transport system is severely affected, roads and railway tracks are
damaged and old routes are arduous to follow because they are
drained with water.

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 Precautions
■ During monsoon season they must move to somewhere else
in order to protect their livestock
■ Local residents should change their place and arrangements
should be made in order to fulfill the basic necessities of life.
■ The transport authorities should prepare a precaution plan
and should tell the transporters about the alternative ways.
Roads and railway tracks must be repaired on an emergency
basis.

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 BENEFITS OF FLOODS

■ Floods return nutrients to the land and contribute to

the health of wetlands
■ Floods distribute rich sediments and refresh stream.
A flooded field could be used to cultivate rice
■ Allowing rivers and streams to overflow can prevent
more serious flooding
■ The high level of fish production because of nutrients
■ Floods recharge the ground water supplies.

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 STORMS
A storm is any disturbed state of an astronomical
body's atmosphere especially affecting its surface, and strongly
implying severe. It may be marked by
strong wind, hail, thunder and/or lightning (a thunderstorm),
heavy precipitation (snowstorm, rainstorm), heavy freezing rain (ice
storm), strong winds (tropical cyclone, windstorm), or wind
transporting the atmosphere

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 DROUGHT
Drought is an extended period when a region notes a deficiency in its
water supply. A drought can last for months or years, or may be declared
after as few as 15 days. Generally, this occurs when a region receives
consistently below average precipitation
There are four ways of categorizing drought
Permanent drought
Exist where crop cultivation isn’t possible
Seasonal drought:
Occurs in areas with well-defined rainy and dry season
Invisible drought:
It is the result of a water deficiency that reduces crop yields
Unpredictable drought
It is the result of abnormally low rainfall
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 CAUSES OF DROUGHT

• Natural
• Unreliability of monsoon winds may lead to seasonal drought
• The dry and hot winds can reduce the moisture contents of sandy soil
• Global climate is constantly changing leading to changes in pakistan’s
climate
• Human
• Deforestation on foothills increase soil erosion and reduces rainfall
mismanagement of water resources
• The disputed and unfair distribution of water over grazing of land
• Global warming

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 EFFECTS OF DROUGHT
The effects of drought on physical environment are sever, the land is
turned into a desert and because of this the soil is exposed leading to soil
erosion, many species are extinct because of lack of food. There’s rise in
temperature and loss of vegetation, because of low precipitation there’s
extension of desert areas.
Drought not only effect physical environment but also human
environment, drought affect
Population
Loss of life because of widespread famines, malnutrition, health
problems and starvation
Nomadic lifestyle because people migrate from the areas that are
affected by drought and because of this urbanization is increased causing
an increase in domestic waste leading to water pollution.

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 DROUGHT MANAGEMENT

• Water storage schemes: reservoirs and dams should be built in order to

store water and some traditional methods should also be utilized in
oreder to store water. The areas that receive heavy rainfall can utilize the
water through perennial canal system. More projects are required in
order to mett the needs of people.
• New methods should be used, desalination process should be used,
conversion of waste water in to clean water through chemical treatment
• Drought resistant seeds should be used
• High priority should be given to the allocation of water to industrial
areas and to meet the basic needs of people.

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