KARACHI: The United Nations’ specialized agency for weather has recognized eight Pakistani hydrological observatories for maintaining more than a century of continuous observations, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Thursday, as the country grapples with increasingly severe weather linked to climate change.
Long-term observational records are considered critical for distinguishing lasting climate trends from natural weather variability and for improving flood forecasting, water management and climate research.
The World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) recognition comes as Pakistan has experienced erratic weather patterns, facing increasingly frequent floods, droughts and heatwaves.
“Pakistan Meteorological Department has achieved another milestone,” PMD said in an announcement. “Eight observatories are recognized by the World Meteorological Organization for more than 100 years of hydrological observations services.”
Hydrological observatories monitor and record data related to rivers, rainfall, streamflow and other aspects of the water cycle. Their long-term records help scientists track changes in water resources, improve flood forecasting and better understand the impacts of climate change.
The recognized observatories are located in Cherat, Dalbandin, Faisalabad, Jacobabad, Multan, Panjgur, Parachinar and Pasni.
Certificates issued by the WMO state that each station was “recognized as a Long-Term Observing Station” in June 2026 for maintaining more than 100 years of hydrological observations.
According to the certificates, long-term environmental observations are “part of the irreplaceable cultural and scientific heritage of mankind” because they provide high-quality records that help scientists assess climate and environmental variability and change.
The specialized UN agency is responsible for international cooperation on weather, climate and water and coordinates global observing systems used for weather forecasting and climate monitoring.
