The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Monday put out a heatwave alert, cautioning that large parts of southern and central Pakistan could see temperatures rise to very high levels from May 19 to 26, with emergency response measures now in place.
Temperatures are expected to stay unusually high for three to five consecutive days across several districts of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan, the alert read.
In Punjab, the districts in the crosshairs include Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Sargodha, Lodhran, Khanewal, Vehari and Lahore.
Sindh is expected to feel the heat across Hyderabad, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Naushahro Feroze, Kashmore, Tharparkar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Matiari, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Badin, Qambar Shahdadkot and Karachi, along with surrounding areas.
In Balochistan, Turbat, Sibi, Uthal, Jhal Magsi, Dera Murad Jamali, Nasirabad, Jaffarabad, Usta Muhammad, Kachhi, Lasbela and Panjgur were identified as regions at risk.
The NDMA warned that prolonged exposure to heat could bring on heat exhaustion, dehydration and heatstroke with children, elderly citizens and outdoor workers likely to be the worst affected.
Rising humidity across lower Sindh and dry inland conditions in Punjab and Balochistan, it added, could make things harder to bear.
The authority also flagged that the heatwave may drive up electricity demand, put strain on healthcare systems and hurt agriculture, livestock and labour productivity.
District administrations have been directed to activate contingency plans, open cooling camps and maintain water supply in areas at risk. Citizens have been told to keep away from outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours and stay hydrated.
