CLIMATE OF PAKISTAN

CHARACTERISTICS
&
COMPONENTS
OF
WEATHER & CLIMATE

By: Adil Nawaz Durrani

OBJECTIVES:
You should be able to:
● know the distribution of temperature and rainfall, including monsoon, depressions and convectional
rain
● know seasonal and regional variations, and the factors contributing to them, including depressions,
thunderstorms and cyclones (typhoons)
● understand the causes of the monsoon (knowledge of the causes of other types of rain is not
required)
● describe and explain the characteristics of the climate of the arid, semi-arid, humid and highland
regions, including seasonal variations
● know the influence of latitude and longitude on day length and climate
● understand the influence of the climate (both the benefits it brings and the problems it causes) on the
● economy and on the lives of the people:
a. The influence of low temperature, ice and snow on the lives of people in the mountains
b. The influence of rain storms and flooding on agriculture, industry and communications
c. The problems caused by drought and shortage of water supply on agriculture and industry.
​

Weather
● Weather refers to the atmospheric conditions (Temperature, Rainfall, Humidity, Air Pressure, Speed
of winds, and Direction of winds) of any place for a short period of time, usually consist of one day.
It is often localized.
Climate
● Climate refers to the average weather conditions (Temperature, Rainfall, Humidity, Air Pressure,
Speed of winds, Direction of winds) of a place for long period of time usually consist of 30-35 years.
Climatic Zones

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 ● Pakistan’s topographical features range from lofty mountains in the North to coastal plains in the
South. The diversity of terrain leads to a variety of climates. Climatic divisions / regions of Pakistan
are the following.
A. Highland climate
B. Lowland climate
C. Coastal climate
D. Arid climate
Fig.1 shows the climatic regions / zones of Pakistan.

Fig.1

Factors Affecting Climate:

● Angle of Sun:

Temperature and rainfall are both dependent either directly or indirectly on the influence of the sun. The
sun’s influence varies from place to place due to factors like angle of sun at a particular place. As it is
evident the Polar Regions or regions far away from the Equator are generally cooler than the ones nearer the

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Equator. This is because for solar radiation to reach the poles and heat them it has to travel a larger distance
in space, thus it loses its intensity (energy). Since Pakistan lies in subtropical areas it does receive most of
intense solar radiation concentrated on a small area thus the temperature in general is warmer. So in general
terms Faisalabad will be cooler than say Hyderabad.

● Maritime Influence:

An ocean has a high specific heat capacity as compared to land, meaning that water has to absorb more heat
to have an increase in temperature as compared to land. Thus land gets hotter quickly than sea etc. Since
the land gets hot quickly, the air over it also absorbs heat and gets less dense. This hot air rises and creates
a low pressure. The sea on the other hand absorbs less heat and moist air over it gets less hot. Thus it is
denser as compared to the air over land and doesn’t rise as much as the air over land does, which results in
the persistence of high pressure over the sea. During the summers, the land is much hotter than the
Arabian Sea, thus convection currents of air are setup. Cool air from sea flows inland thus regulating the
temperature and making summers a bit cooler than it would have been without the influence of the sea. In
winters, the sea retains its warmth and thus cold air from coastal areas flows towards sea. To replace the
air in coastal areas whose rising has created a low pressure, dry warm air from interior Sindh and Punjab
flows towards the coast, thus making winters less cold than they would have been without the influence of
the sea.

● Altitude:

Altitude also has a big impact on the average temperatures experienced by an area. The solar radiation is a
short-wavelength radiation, which does not heat the atmosphere directly when it passes through it. This is
because it is poorly absorbed by the air particles (gases and water vapors). The temperature of the
atmosphere decreases with increase in altitude, as short wavelength has to pass its heat to a lot of air
particles to transfer heat to the high altitude areas. Also as the altitude increases the amount of atmosphere
decreases (air gets thinner and thinner), thus there are less gas molecules and water vapors present to absorb
the long wavelength radiation. On average dry air loses around 6.5 °C per every Km rise in height.

● Cloud Cover:

Temperatures decrease when clouds appear and block out the Sun’s rays, which are then reflected back into
space. However cloud formation only takes place when air contains sufficient moisture and has been
sufficiently cooled. Thus cloudy days are much cooler than sunny days during the same months. However
cloudy nights are hotter than cloudless nights because the clouds trap heat inside the Earth’s surface. This
heat is easily radiated back to space when no clouds exist but when they do exist this heat is reflected back
onto the Earth’s surface. These two reasons help us explain why a day in desert is very hot 50°C but night is
cool/cold 5°C.

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 Cloudy

Non-Cloudy

Types of Rainfall:
● Monsoon Rainfall:

Monsoons are seasonal winds that blow from sea towards land from July to August (summers). After it they
reverse their direction and blow from land towards the sea (winters). During the summers due to the high
angle of sun, Punjab and Sindh plains get heated up, thus an area of very low pressure develops here as the
hot air rises. There are two monsoon systems, one originating from the Bay of Bengal and other from the
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Arabian Sea. Moist laden winds from high pressure areas of sea blow towards land. From the east the
monsoon clouds are deflected along the Himalayas from Nepal to Pakistan. Along the way these clouds rise,
cool and thus condense eventually bringing rainfall to Pakistan. They affect northern Punjab,
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. On the other hand another monsoon system that
originates in Arabian Sea also travels inland but doesn’t bring significant rainfall to areas of Sindh because
of a temperature inversion layer.

● Western Depressions:

These are wind systems that originate from the Mediterranean Sea and travel eastwards towards
Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since they make a long journey they lose most of their water when they reach
Pakistan. During the winters, December to March they bring rainfall because during winters the Arabian Sea
retains its warmth and thus cold air from coastal areas flows towards sea. To replace the low pressure
formed in Punjab and Sindh plains, these western depressions move from high pressure area (Mediterranean
Sea) towards the low pressure area (Indus Plains). Quetta, Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore and Jiwani (Makran
Coast) receive rainfall from Western Depressions.

● Convectional currents:

Convection rainfall occurs when the sun heats up the land. The air near the land absorbs heat by conduction,
and thus gets less dense and rises. The moisture in air condenses to form clouds, and when this air is cooled
to a certain minimum level rainfall occurs

● Relief rain:

Relief rain occurs when warm, moist air ascends along the slope of a mountain. The air then condenses and
rainfall occurs on the windward side. The leeward side of the mountain receives very little rainfall. After the
air flows over the top of the mountain and has dropped down to the other side, it warms once again. Because
of this, the air now has a greater ability to carry water moisture and so there is little rain on the far side of the
mountain. This area, opposite of the relief rainfall, is called the rain shadow.

● Tropical Cyclone:

Tropical Cyclones are formed when the average temperature of large water body exceeds 27° C, thus
forming an area of very low pressure. In Pakistan, cyclones originate in the Arabian Sea, gradually moving
towards the land. Very often, they die out before reaching the coast. Sometimes they attack the coast and
cause damage with violent winds, high ocean waves and cyclone surge. Tropical cyclones occur either in the
Pre-monsoon season from May to June or in the Post-Monsoon season in September and October. The life of
a tropical cyclone is seven to ten days. In 90s Pakistan has been struck by tropical cyclones.

● Temperature Inversion layer in southern Sindh:

A temperature inversion layer exists over Sindh and areas of Makran coast during the monsoon season
(July-August), around the height of 1-2 km. The presence of this layer means that moist air is not allowed to
rise due to presence of dense cold air above. This cold air is part of a global wind system which exists due to
the spinning of Earth and various other factors. Thus the moist air cant rise further so can’t be cooled and as
a result these areas receive little rainfall during the monsoons.

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Q. What are Dust storms?

A storm in which dense masses of dust are carried by the winds is called dust storms. Dust storms are most
common in Sindh, particularly in the desert areas. Dust storms are usually experienced in summer season in
May and June. In the absence of moisture, dust is wiped up to form dust storm. Dust is created by intense
heating of desert, Areas where an intense low pressure develops temporarily. This low pressure attracts
winds from nearby region. These strong winds pickup dust, sand and dust storm is created. About 15 to 20
dust storms take place every year.

● Thunderstorm:

Thunderstorms occur in the same fashion as convectional rainfall with the main difference being that the air
here rises very quickly forming Cumulonimbus clouds, which are very tall and big. This is followed by
strong winds, lightning and heavy rainfall. Hailstones may also be formed, when the water vapors are cooled
multiple times (to form water first and then ice).

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Q. Study Fig. 2.1, a map showing annual rainfall in southern and western Pakistan.

Fig.2.1

(i) Complete Fig. 2.1 by shading area Y using the information below and the key.
Y = 126–250 mm of annual rainfall [1]
(ii) Study Fig. 2.2, a map showing temperature regions of southern and western Pakistan.

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Identify temperature region Z shown on Fig. 2.2……………Warm summer, mild winter …… [1]
(iii) Using information from Figs. 2.1 and 2.2 only, complete the passage describing the relationship
between annual rainfall and temperature regions. Choose the correct words from the list and place
them in the spaces provided.
COLD COOL HIGH HOT LOW
MILD STRONG WARM WEAK
There is a ........................... relationship between the pattern of annual rainfall and temperature regions.
The majority of the areas with 0–125 mm of rainfall experience......................... Summers and
…...………….. Winters, whereas areas of …………... rainfall experience cooler summers and winters.
Ans: Weak Hot Mild High [4]

Q. Describe how the Western Depressions affect the pattern of rainfall in western Pakistan. [3]

Western Depressions are cyclones which originate in Mediterranean Sea and bring rain to the
north-western areas of Pakistan including Peshawar and Quetta. Western Depression causes the rainfall from
December-March in winter season. Quetta remains dry for rest of year because most rain it received from
Western Depressions. Quetta has its highest rainfall 49 mm in February while Peshawar has its highest
rainfall 78 mm in March. As winds move towards Balochistan there is little moisture left this causes little
rainfall.
Q. Explain two factors that affect temperature in Pakistan. You should develop your answer. [4]
● Altitude; for every 1000 meters in height temperature drops by approximately 6.5 °C /as altitude
increases there is less atmosphere above, so less pressure. This lower pressure means air molecules
spread further away from each other, which has a cooling effect;
● Latitude; areas closer to the equator or southern Pakistan like 24°N have higher temperatures as
sun’s rays are more concentrated/higher angle of incidence while areas further away from the
equator like northern Pakistan/37°N have lower temperatures as sun’s rays spread out over a wider
area/lower angle of incidence/lose more heat travelling further through the atmosphere.
● Angle of the sun; the position of the earth in relation to the sun, during summer Pakistan is tilted
towards the sun and so has higher temperatures/during winter it is tilted away from the sun so has
lower temperatures;
● Continental/maritime influence; interior has higher temperatures as there is no cooling effect from
the sea/along coastal areas ocean currents and prevailing winds have a moderating effect on
temperature/inland areas heat up quickly in summer, producing hot summers/lose heat quickly, so
have low average temperatures in winter; cloud cover; clouds keep the heat in during the night but
can prevent solar radiation getting through during the day so can keep the heat out.
● Amount of vegetation cover/deforestation; areas with dense cover have lower temperatures since it
provides shade from the sun’s rays or vice versa e.g. deserts;
Q. Define ‘drought’. [1]
A long period of no or very little amount of rainfall in an area is called draught./ A drought is a period
extending over several months or years when a region suffers a deficiency in its water supply.
Q. State two effects of drought on the natural environment of Pakistan. [2]
● Crop yields can be dramatically reduced and livestock production could fall (milk, eat etc). This can
raise prices of goods and affect price of exported goods making them uncompetitive in international
markets thus harming national interests.
● Dust storms can occur, when drought hits an area suffering from an area suffering from
desertification and erosion. This can lead to siltation in reservoirs of dam, hampering electricity
generation and weakening dam’s foundation
● Habitat damage, affecting both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, Wildfires can become common and
can cause health hazard to people

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Q. Describe the benefits and problems of cold climates for people in Pakistan. [4]
BENEFITS:
● Cold climate or winter season brings tourism in area like skiing, glacier hikes and etc. In winter
holidays scenic beauty of Northern region attracts tourists, scientists and mountaineers across the
globe. Whereas, Frozen water bodies can be used for ice skating.
● Glacial melt water in summer is essential for irrigation, helps to power hydel schemes and reduces
evaporation from reservoirs;
● Cold climate is suitable for family picnic and keeps the engines of vehicles cool.
PROBLEMS:
● Cold climate leads to Seasonal movement of livestock to lower areas, like Transhumance. In such
conditions it becomes difficult to rear animals;
● Cold climate can trap people in homes or people have to move to other low lying areas like
Rawalpindi and Islamabad experience large number of people in every winter
● Roads can become blocked by snow/avalanches, cuts off communities may cause injuries or death
● The cold climate makes it difficult to grow most crops like wheat and difficult to work in extreme
cold climates so people have to work indoors;

Q. Pakistan experiences extremes of climate which can have many effects on people’s lives. Read the following
two views:
View A
Storms and heavy rainfall have the most severe impacts for people in Pakistan.
View B
Droughts have the most severe impacts for people in Pakistan.

Which view do you agree with more? Give reasons to support your answer and refer to examples you have
studied. You should consider View A and View B in your answer.
Agree with View A:
● storms and heavy rainfall can destroy crops very quickly;
● animals/cattle can be washed away/drown/be frightened;
● livelihoods/houses/businesses can be washed away;
● flooded roads create travel problems for business/industry; heavy rain increases soil erosion
removing the top fertile layer;
● fields become flooded which can create problems with water logging;
● floodwaters from heavy rains can become polluted and spread disease;
● cyclones make it unsafe for boats to go to sea, disrupting fishing;
● Winds blow down power lines and phone lines; businesses are left without power or communications
● In August 2021 Karachi received 200mm rain in 12 hours, 68 000 people in Sindh forced into relief
camps, one million acres of crops were destroyed by the flooding; cotton, vegetables, onions,
tomatoes, and sugarcane.
Disagree with View A:
● flood protection schemes can protect homes and businesses;
● reservoirs and dams control the flow of water in rivers/hold back water;
● buildings designed to withstand flooding/storm shelters can be built;
● Flooding spreads alluvium increasing the fertility of the land for farmers.
Agree with View B:
● droughts can cause starvation/famine leading to illness and death;
● results in crop failure and death of livestock;
● people suffer from malnutrition and fatigue, so they are unable to work;
● food supplies and fresh water has to be imported;
● Shortage of raw materials for industry reduces exports.

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 ● 2018/2019 droughts with 1.2 million people suffered from extreme (crisis and emergency level) food
insecurity in Southern Pakistan resulted from acute shortages of water, food and fodder and resulted
in critical levels of acute malnutrition amongst young children
Disagree with View B:
● droughts can be overcome by using irrigation or named examples e.g. karez/perennial canals/use of
sea water through desalination
● drought resistant seeds can be used e.g. water efficient varieties of wheat developed by Pakistan
Agricultural Research Council (PARC);
● Transhumance can be practiced moving animals to areas with water;
● Belongings/buildings/homes are not ruined by drought.
Q. Study Fig.2.3, a graph showing rainfall in Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Fig: 2.3
● What is the minimum rainfall, and when does it occur? [2]
● 50–52 mm in the month of October
● What is the maximum rainfall, and when does it occur? [2]
● 253 / 254mm in the month of March
● Give two causes of high rainfall between October and June at Dir. [2]
● Western / winter depressions / disturbances
● Relief rainfall
● Convectional rainfall / currents
● Thunderstorm
Q. Explain the causes of monsoon rainfall in Karachi. [3]
Low pressure develops over the land mass and warm air rises upward over the land. It draws in winds from
high pressure area from the Arabian Sea. Moisture bearing winds carrying rain rises over the land and gets
cool. The process of condensation takes place and clouds form. These clouds fall the rain in areas of
Karachi.

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Q. Study Fig. 2.4 showing a blank divided bar graph.

Fig.2.4
Complete Fig. 2.4 to show the percentage share of each source of surface water in Pakistan. Use the
information in the key. [5]
Q. Study Fig. 3.2, a climate graph showing rainfall and temperature for Multan.

Fig.2.5

Complete Fig. 2.5 using the information below. [2]

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Q. Complete the passage below about conditions required for growing wheat. Choose the correct words from
the list and place them in the spaces provided.
50 90 dry heavy light rainfall

Sunshine wet 5–10°C 15 °C 25–30 °C 35 °C

Q. State three ways water is obtained for domestic purposes in Pakistan. [3]
● Directly from rivers/glaciers/lakes/pond;
● From wells/groundwater/from aquifers;
● Via pipelines/water tankers/from reservoirs/taps;
● Collecting rainwater (in tanks on the roof);
● Using desalination.
Q. Study Fig. 2.6 which shows rainfall data for two cities on the River Indus.

Fig. 2.6
Q. Compare the amount and pattern of monthly rainfall in Hyderabad with that of Dera Ismail Khan.
● Both high in Jul and Aug
● Both identical in Jun/Nov
● Both lowin Oct/Nov
● For Dera Ismail Khan (accept converses for Hyderabad)
● Greater total
● 274 mm as opposed to 179 mm
● Higher in all months except Aug and Sep/any named month / lower in Aug/Sep
● Both maximum Jul–Aug

Q. Give three reasons for any similarities or differences in the two patterns of rainfall
● Both experience monsoon rainfall [Jul–Sep]
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 ● Dera Ismail Khan experiences rainfall from western depressions [Dec–Mar]
● Dera Ismail Khan experiences some thunderstorm rainfall [Apr–Jun]
● Accept converses for Hyderabad
Q. Explain the effect of flooding on the local economy and transport links in communities along the River
Indus.
Local economy
● Livestock/crops/farm equipment/fisheries lost (causing loss of income)
● Factories/workplaces temporarily closed (causing damage/unemployment/loss of
production/income/profit)
● Electricity supply disrupted (factories closed)
● Build up of silt behind dams (less water storage/effect on HEP production)
● Alluvium/nutrients deposited by flood water (fertilizes soil)
Transport Links
● Bridges washed away (limiting ability to trade)
● Roads/railways destroyed/damaged/flooded (making journeys longer/slower/more dangerous)
● Rivers become unnavigable (communications cut/villages cut off)
Q) Describe the route of the main monsoon across Pakistan. [3]

● East to west / from NE / from East

● From Bay of Bengal / Northern India
● Across Punjab / upper Indus Plain
● Towards the Northern Areas / mountains / interior Asia

Q) Study the following figure, which shows the rainfall of Peshawar and Lahore.

I) Compare the distribution of rainfall from June to September at Lahore and Peshawar. [4]
Comparative figures

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 ● Max 68 mms in Peshawar, 202 mms in Lahore
● Totals June – September
● Figures for any one month with comparative word
Comparisons
● Less in Peshawar
● Maximum later in Peshawar
● Max in Aug in Peshawar, July in Lahore
● Annual minimum in June in Peshawar but not Lahore
II) Explain why there are differences in amounts of rainfall caused by the monsoon in different areas of
Pakistan. /4
● Depends on moisture content / humidity
● Loses moisture / drier as it crosses the land / Pakistan is at the tail end
● More rain as it rises over hills
● Condensation / clouds caused by cooling of rising air
● Rain shadow effect on lee slopes & Climate change with reason e.g. global warming, ozone layer

I) What is the main cause of rainfall from: [2]

A: December to March?
● Western depressions
B: April to June?
● Convection currents / thunderstorms
(ii) Name one area which receives high rainfall in both seasons A and B [1]
● N Punjab / central NWFP / Peshawar
● See atlas for a named district in these areas
(iii) Which area receives the highest rainfall from December to March? [1]
● More than in summer – Western borders / Quetta
● More than rest of Pakistan – N Punjab / central NWFP / Peshawar
● See atlas for a named district in these areas

What are the advantages and disadvantages of winter rainfall in Northern Pakistan? [6]
Advantages
● Fills reservoirs / rivers / more storage
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 ● Water for irrigation
● Water for HEP
● Water for barani crops
● Water for kharif / winter crops / fruit trees
● Water when everything else is frozen
● Lighter form of rain – can soak in
● Snow for tourism
● Disadvantages
● May fall as snow }
● Rivers / lakes frozen } so of little use
● Temperatures too cold for growth }
● Damage to environment – landslides, mudslides, floods etc.
● Damage to roads – blockage, slippery etc.
● Silt collects in reservoirs / dams
● Difficulties meaning farmers must do transhumance/ nomadism
Explain the importance of the arrival of the monsoon to people who live and work in urban areas. /4
Benefits
● Cooler – better working and living conditions / pleasant climate
● Fresher – less dust, pollution, cleaner air
● Water supply – for drinking, factories, market gardens, buffalo
Problems
● Flooding
● People cannot get to work
● Loss of production

Q) Study Fig. showing the climate of Gilgit.

(i) What is the maximum temperature, and in which month does it occur?
● 27.5 °C, July
(ii) In which season of the year is the rainfall highest?
● Spring / early summer / March to May

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 (iii) Compare the climate of the months May to September with the months from November to
February.

May to September November to February

● Hotter ● Colder
● Over 18 °C / 18–27.5 °C ● Under 12 °C / 3–12 °C
● Wetter ● Drier
● Variable rain low/increasing ● rain/snow fall
● 6–26 mm ● 2–6 mm

In what ways does the winter climate make life difficult for people who live in mountainous area?
● snow covers ground (or reference to snow)
● water shortage / water freezes
● no farming in winter / nothing grows / need to store food / no fishing
● live indoors / cannot work outside
● animals kept in sheds / need feeding / no pasture
● roads or railways blocked / closed / no travel / communication
● Damage to buildings eg. by avalanches, landslides, frozen pipes / death of people
● fog / no air travel
● power lines cut
● telephone lines cut / no telecommunication
● no tourism
● need to keep warm / need for heating

Q. Circle three of the phrases below that describe a semi-arid climate.

HIGH EVAPOTRANSPIRATION HIGH HUMIDITY

HOT DAYS AND COLD NIGHTS RELIABLE RAINFALL

THUNDERSTORMS LOW EVAPOTRANSPIRATION

Q. study Fig. which shows the rainfall of three cities in northern Pakistan.

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 (i) For
each of
the
following
cities
state the

maximum rainfall and the month in which it falls.

● Peshawar 68/69 mm, August
● Lahore 201/202 mm, July
● Muree 340 mm, July

(i) Compare the amount and pattern of rainfall in Lahore and Peshawar during the monsoon season.

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 Lahore
● more rain/higher maximum
● increase then decrease
● earlier maximum/max in July
● tails off more slowly
● comparative figures (other than those from (i))
Peshawar
● Credit comparison of above
(ii) Suggest two reasons why Muree has a higher rainfall than Lahore and Peshawar.
● higher altitude/mountainous
● more thunderstorms
● more western depressions
● windward slope
● more vegetation/forests
A. Explain the benefits and problems of high rainfall on either farming or road travel.

FARMING ROAD TRAVELING

Benefits Benefits:
● Increased water supply/less need for ● lays the dust
irrigation ● water to cool engine
● Alluvium from floods
● Reduces salinity Problems:
● Flooding blocks roads/restricts
● Better plant growth
access
● Higher yield/income
● washes away surface
● Benefit to animals Problems
● destroys bridges
Problems: ● danger of lightning
● Flooding ● danger to driving, e.g. slippery
● Water logging
● Water is not absorbed
● Soil erosion/gullying
● Leaching
● Risk of pests/disease
● Damage at harvest, e.g. Cotton, wheat
● Intensity can damage plant
● Loss of income

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Q; Study the map which shows the Desert climate of Nok Kundi.

With reference to above Fig.describe the yearly distribution of temperature and rainfall in a desert
climate.
Temperature
● Hot summers and cool / mild winters
● Rises to max. in June / July
● Falls to min. in December / January
Rainfall
● Wetter in winter than summer / reverse
● Decreases Jan – May
● Variable May – November
● Increases in December
Q; Study Fig. below which shows the distribution of monthly rainfall in Karachi.

a. For how many months does Karachi experience less than 10 mm rainfall?
7 (may simply list the 7 months)
b. Estimate the total rainfall in Karachi for the period July to September.
173 mm Tolerance 171–175 mm
c. What is the main source of rainfall in Karachi? From which direction do the rain bearing
winds come?
Source: [Secondary] monsoon winds and Direction: South West
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 Q; Describe the effects of tropical cyclones on cities such as Karachi.

● Widespread / great / huge / much / many / a lot of – damage

● Floods / blocked drains / sewers
● Lives lost / injuries / people missing
● Damage to / loss of homes / belongings / slums
● Damage to named transport Roads, railways, ports, airports so people unable to get to work
● Damage to named services – e.g. Schools / hospitals / clinics
● Damage to workplaces / industry - e.g. The fishing industry destroyed so no source of
● Income or loss of income / disrupts exports
● Loss to local economy – e.g. Through damaged industry / cost of rebuilding / loss of jobs
● Damage to transmission lines / power stations / lack of power
● Damage to communication – e.g. Lack of telecommunications / telephone lines
Q. Study Fig. below, which shows climate data for Lahore, Punjab. Lahore has a monsoon climate.

(i) What is meant by the term ‘monsoon’?

Usually, the term monsoon is used to refer to the rainy phase of a seasonally changing pattern, although
technically there is also a dry phase.
(ii) How does Fig. 7 show that the climate in Lahore is typical of a monsoon climate?
● Rainfall concentrated in Jul–Sept / wet season Jul–Sept;
● Little rainfall Oct–Jun / dry season Oct–Jan / Apr–May;
● High annual temperature / 30 °C–34 °C;
● Highest temperature in Jun just before wet season starts.
(iii) Give reasons why Lahore has more rainfall in July than in December.
● July low pressure on land / central Asia. December high pressure on land / central Asia or July
lower pressure on land / central Asia than December;
● July moist air / rain bearing winds from sea / Indian Ocean / Bay of Bengal: December dry winds
blow from land to sea / winds reverse from July SW to December NE;
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 ● July tail end of monsoon winds reach northern / north-eastern Pakistan / December little moisture
reaches eastern / north-eastern Pakistan;
● July has high (higher, warmer) temps with more humidity / December has low (lower, cooler)
temps with less humidity.
Q. Explain the challenges of living in a desert area.
● High temperatures / hot (during day) / cold at night / uncomfortable living conditions;
● Lack of / little / unreliable rainfall;
● Difficult to grow crops / carry out agriculture;
● Difficult to rear animals;
● Lack of water / travel long distance to find water / low water table;
● Dust / sandstorms;
● Infertile soils / lack of nutrients / lack of humus produced;
● Reliable food supply;
● Isolated / far from urban areas / remote;
● Inaccessible / poor / lack of roads;
● Wild / poisonous animals. Etc.
Q. Suggest two ways in which latitude affects the climate of Pakistan.
● The further north (from the equator) the cooler it is / north is cold;
● The closer to the equator the warmer it is / southern Pakistan is warmer / south Pakistan is hot;
● In the south / the closer to the equator the more convectional rainfall / more thunderstorms;
● More concentrated / direct rays of sunshine / higher angle of sun nearer equator

Q. Study Fig. below, shows the average January temperature for Pakistan

Describe the distribution of the area with an average January temperature below 10 C.
● Whole Northern Areas.
● North Western areas.
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 ● Western mountains.
● Western NWFP and Northern western Baluchistan is included.
Explain the distribution of the area with an average January temperature below 10 C.
● Higher in altitude (above sea level).
● Mountainous areas.
● Temperature remains below zero C.
● Precipitation in the form of snow.
Describe the distribution of the area with an average January temperature above 15 C.
● Lower Indus Plain.
● Southern Balochistan
Explain fully the distribution of the area with an average January temperature above 15 C.
● Close to Tropic of Cancer.
● Effect of sea.
● Effect of mountains due to nearer of Balochistan / desert.
● Sindh is low land, so temperature is not affected by altitude.
Q. Study Fig. below shows the mean monthly temperature of Lahore and Quetta.

Q. Compare the mean monthly temperatures of Lahore and Quetta.

● Both graphs have a similar range / both 20 – 22.
● Lahore warmer and Quetta colder.
● Lahore sharp drop after June and Quetta smooth curve.
● Lahore increases then decreases and Quetta slight drop May to July.
Q. Explain the seasonal changes in temperature at Lahore.
● Effect of latitude / angle of the sun’s rays.
● Rising in dry season / lack of cloud cover before monsoon.
● Drop in July related to start of monsoon season / heavy rainfall

Q. The map Fig. below shows the locations of two weather stations and their records of rainfall and
mean monthly temperature.

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Compare the amount and seasonal distribution of rainfall at Quetta and Lahore.
QUETTA LAHORE
● Winter Maximum ● Summer Maximum.
● Max December to March ● Max July to August.
● Lower total than L ● Higher total than Q.
● Rain in all months.
● No rain in June and September ● Highest in July.
● Highest in February
● Equal rain in March and November at both
stations.

Q. Give reasons for the differences in amount and seasonal distribution of rainfall at these locations.

QUETTA
● More rain from western depression.
● Summer convectional rainfall.
● No / negligible monsoon rainfall.
LAHORE
● Less rain from western depression.
● Little convectional rainfall.
● Monsoon winds this should include both the SE and NW monsoon.
● Monsoon brings more rain than depressions.

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Q. What are the benefits and problems for farmers in the area of Lahore which result from the
rainfall?
Benefits
● Some rain in all months / throughout year.
● Enough without irrigation / for barani farming.
● Monsoon rain for Kharif crops.
● Depression and convectional for Rabi crops.
Problems
● Uneven distribution.
● Too much in July – August / too little in October / November.
● Flooding in wet season.
● Lack of sunshine for ripening crops.
● High evapo-transpiration in April – June.
● Heavy rain damages cereals, cotton.
● Pests, Diseases, virus in wet season.
● Heavy rain ineffective / does not soak in.

Q. Study Fig. below a map of natural hazards in Pakistan.

a. Which area is affected by tropical cyclones?

● Sindh coast, (Indus delta).
● Balochistan coast, (Makran coast).

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 Advantages of Floods
⮚ Floods return nutrients to the land.

⮚ Floods refresh the streams.

⮚ Floods spread a layer of alluvium which increases the fertility of the land.

⮚ Store maximum water in dams.

⮚ Rise water level.

⮚ Promotes inland fishing industry.

Effects / Problems of Flood

⮚ Destruction of crops.

⮚ Loss of food supply.

⮚ Mud houses and huts could be severely damaged.

⮚ Danger of diseases.

⮚ Interrupt communication / roads / railway.

⮚ Kill livestock.

⮚ Little / no supply of raw material to industries.

⮚ Destroy bridges.

⮚ Interrupts services / utilities / electricity supplies.

Measures (To reduce the flood risk)

⮚ Planting trees on the foothills to check the flow of running water.

⮚ Enlarging the river channel so that it can be hold more water.

⮚ Building embankments on either side of the river to prevent the spread of water.

⮚ Building reservoirs on the river to store water and control peak discharge.

⮚ Preventing building in areas where flooding is most likely.

⮚ Publicizing flood warnings through Radio, Television and Newspapers.

⮚ Providing necessary facilities for rehabilitation in flooded areas.

DROUGHT
1. Extreme dryness due to lack of rain. It is almost found in deserts areas like Cholistan and
2. Tharparkar.
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 Causes of Drought
There are two factors which causes the drought in Pakistan.
1. Natural Factors
2. Human Factors
Natural Factors
1. Unreliability of monsoon.
2. Dry and hot dusty winds can reduce the moisture content.
Human Factors
1. Deforestation.
2. Unfair distribution of water between Punjab and Sindh Province.
3. Over grazing of land by goat and sheep.
4. Global Warming.

Effects of Drought on the Physical Environment

Desertification: The processes of turning the land into a desert.
Exposed soil leading to soil erosion, dust storms.
Extension of desert areas, rise in temperature,
Loss of vegetation
Drying up of Rivers, Lakes and Streams : Harm to fisheries and other aquatic life, growth of
Algae in shallow water bodies, unsafe drinking
Water.
Drop in water table: Less water available to plants and humans from
from ground sources.

Effects of Drought on the Human Environment

Population: Widespread famine, Migration from affected areas,

Health problem, Loss of lives, Break-up of rural
social
Set-up, Nomadic life.
Economy: Crop failure, Death of livestock, Shortage of raw
material
to industries, reduced exports and increased imports.

Strategies to reduce negative impacts of Drought

✔ People are settled in temporary refugee camps especially sick.

✔ Supplied of food by charities and international relief agencies.

✔ Water storage schemes (construction of Dams and tanks) Irrigation canals to grow crops, planting of
trees.
✔ Use of new technology (Desalination of sea water, Reclaiming waste water and turning into clean
water, using drought resistant varieties of crops).

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✔ Lining the canals.

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 THANK YOU

ICS GAINS THE PAIN TO TRAIN THE BRAINS

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