Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast heatwave conditions across the country this week, with rising temperatures expected to begin in southern and central regions from Thursday.
According to a press release issued on Wednesday, PMD said that a high-pressure system in the upper atmosphere is likely to trigger heatwave conditions over southern and central areas from May 7 to May 11, while upper parts of the country may face similar conditions from May 8 to May 10.
The department warned that daytime temperatures could rise significantly in several districts of Sindh and Balochistan, while Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Ghotki, Khairpur, Nausheroferoze, Jacobabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Sibbi, Turbat and Panjgur may record temperatures between 46°C and 50°C.
In southern Punjab and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), including Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Bhakkar, Rajanpur, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan, temperatures are expected to remain between 43°C and 47°C.
For upper regions such as Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Kohat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Okara and Kasur, the forecast suggests temperatures between 39°C and 43°C.
The Met Office also said that Karachi will continue to experience very hot conditions during the forecast period, with temperatures expected to remain between 35°C and 38°C.
It added that a shallow westerly weather system is likely to affect upper parts of the country from the evening of May 10 and may continue until May 13, bringing some relief from the heat in those regions.
PMD advised the public, particularly children, women and senior citizens, to avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight and to maintain hydration during the heatwave conditions. Farmers were also advised to adjust agricultural activities and take precautionary measures for livestock.
Meanwhile, at least 10 people died in Karachi on Monday due to intense heat, as temperatures reached 44.1°C, the highest recorded since 2018 along with persistent continental winds, according to officials.
On the same day, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued emergency protocols and placed hospitals on alert as above-normal summer temperatures posed risks across the country.
