Pakistan is likely to experience one of its coldest winters in decades as the La Niña weather pattern intensifies, according to a new report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA).
The report warns that extreme cold conditions will severely impact regions already hit by floods, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, where thousands of families remain vulnerable.
Experts say the cold spell could disrupt the ongoing Kharif crop harvest, while also raising the risk of glacial lake outburst floods in northern areas. In urban regions, rising smog levels are expected to worsen air quality and trigger health issues.
The report further notes potential outbreaks of seasonal diseases such as dengue and cholera, as communities struggle with poor sanitation and damaged infrastructure.
With 1.2 million hectares of crops destroyed and over 229,000 homes damaged in recent floods, many families remain without adequate shelter or heating.
Authorities and aid organizations are being urged to prepare relief efforts ahead of winter, including emergency shelter, warm clothing, and healthcare support for at-risk populations.
As the temperature drop approaches, the UN has called for coordinated national action to protect vulnerable communities and minimize the humanitarian impact of what could be Pakistan’s harshest winter in years.
