PMD climate change impact and integration cell issues dengue alert

Islamabad: Pakistan Meteorological Department Climate Change Impact and Integration Cell (CIIC) at Meteorological Headquarters has issued a dengue alert on Monday saying the historical trends, current and future climate outlook and the widespread inundation caused by flood like condition across the country show that certain parameters are creating an ideal environment for a dengue outbreak.

The combined impact of favourable weather thresholds and flood-related water-logging has made conditions conducive from 20th September 2025 for the dengue onset. It is predicted that this season poses an unprecedentedly high-risk of a severe dengue outbreak, particularly in ten major cities of Pakistan including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Peshawar, Sukkur, Hyderabad and Multan as well as in flood affected areas across the country, states the dengue alert.

The statement issued by PMD CIIC explains that dengue fever has become a persistent threat to public health in Pakistan over the last decade, with major outbreaks reported during the post-monsoon season (20th September to 5th December). Scientific analysis shows that dengue risk is the highest when the temperature thresholds remain between 26-29°C (for 3-5 weeks), relative humidity exceeds 60% and rainfall surpasses 27 mm with a lag effect of up to three weeks.

Mosquitoes responsible for dengue transmission are most active during two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset, and their breeding slows only when temperatures fall below 16°C, reads the dengue alert. Currently, Pakistan is facing severe and widespread flooding due to heavy and prolonged monsoon rains, river overflows, and water releases from reservoirs. Large parts of Punjab and Sindh, including urban areas are inundated, villages submerged with millions displaced, and shelters overcrowded. The floods have left behind stagnant water and poor drainage, creating conducive environmental conditions for mosquito breeding and dengue transmission, says the alert.

The PMD adds that it is strongly advised that all stakeholders, including district administrations and health departments and general public, immediately adopt the following pre-emptive measures to counter the risk of a dengue outbreak in vulnerable areas. National health agencies and dengue control centers must remain on high alert, strengthen the preparedness of healthcare facilities, and intensify vector control operations. For continuous updates and official guidance, stakeholders are encouraged to consult the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) website: http://www.pmd.gov.pk.

The PMD advises health departments, local authorities and dengue control centres to monitor environmental and meteorological data regularly like temperature, humidity and rainfall to track dengue risk windows and conduct widespread fumigation, spray larvicides, and clear blocked drains and stagnant water, especially in flood-hit areas.

The departments and authorities should include mosquito control and sanitation measures in all flood relief operations and shelter management and launch mass campaigns through TV, radio, social media, mosques, and local community leaders to educate people about prevention and early medical consultation.

The PMD suggests that the concerned departments and authorities should coordinate with national/provincial disaster management authorities dealing with floods to ensure that flood relief shelters and camps are kept clean, dry (as much as possible).