Pakistan experiences ‘wettest April’ in over 60 years with rainfall at 59.3 mm

Pakistan saw its "wettest April since 1961" with rainfall measuring 59.3 millimetres, more than double the usual average of 22.5 millimetres for the month, according to the country's meteorological department. The report also noted at least 144 fatalities from thunderstorms and house collapses caused by the heavy rain, marking it as the "wettest April since 1961."

Pakistan is having more and more trouble with unpredictable weather, especially the heavy rain that usually comes during monsoon season in July.

In 2022, huge monsoon rains flooded a third of Pakistan during the summer. These floods made millions of people leave their homes and caused about $30 billion in damage and losses for the country, according to the World Bank.

"Climate change is a major factor that is influencing the erratic weather patterns in our region," Zaheer Ahmad Babar, spokesperson for the Pakistan Meteorological Department, told AFP while commenting on the report.

While many parts of Asia are experiencing extreme heatwaves, Pakistan's average national temperature for April was recorded at 23.67 degrees Celsius (74 degrees Fahrenheit), which is 0.87 degrees lower than the usual average of 24.54, as highlighted in the report.

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Pakistan's first lunar mission

Meanwhile, in the realm of space missions, Pakistan's first satellite mission to the Moon was launched alongside China's mission to collect samples from the far side of the Moon.

This mission, called Chang'e-6, will last 53 days and aims to bring back samples for scientific research. It's the first time China has included a satellite from Pakistan in its Moon mission. Pakistan's ICUBE-Q satellite was made by the Institute of Space Technology (IST) in collaboration with China's Shanghai University SJTU and Pakistan's space agency Suparco.

After the launch, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended congratulations to the nation and the scientists for successfully initiating the first lunar orbit mission.

In a statement, Sharif said the ICUBE-Q satellite is Pakistan's first step into space. "Just as in the nuclear field, our scientists, engineers, and talented individuals are diligently striving in this field," he said.

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"This achievement will bolster Pakistan's satellite communication capabilities and pave the way for new opportunities in scientific research, economic development, and national security," the prime minister said.

(With inputs from agencies)