LAHORE: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted below normal winter rainfall this year between January and March as a result of which Rabi crops, particularly wheat, will face water shortage in the rain-fed areas.

In a latest advisory issued on Thursday the PMD, however, expected slightly above normal snowfall over the hills during the same season that lasts from January to March.

Issued by its DirectorGeneral Arif Mahmood, the department maintained that rainfall amount was estimated tobe 30 percentless thanthe long period average (1961 to 2010) from January to March this year.

Snowfall over the mountainous areas during winter was expected 10-15pc more than normal.The long period average for period (January to March) for Pakistan is 74.5mm.

According to the forecast pattern of precipitation, the availability of water in rainfed areas would be limited and, therefore, Rabi crops, particularly wheat, were likely to suffer from water stress conditions.

`The situation demands that the available resources may be judiciously utilised to meet the vital water requirements in the country,` the advisory said.