The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned that moderate to severe heatwave conditions are expected to grip large parts of the country from May 25 to May 31, coinciding with the Eid ul Azha holidays.
According to the Met Office, a high-pressure system is expected to form on May 25 and intensify further by May 26, triggering the heatwave across the country.
Sindh is expected to bear the brunt of the heat, with temperatures likely to climb between 47°C and 50°C in several districts. Karachi is also expected to remain hot, with mercury levels projected to stay between 35°C and 38°C during the period.
Other districts including Sukkur, Jacobabad, Larkana, Dadu, Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Khairpur, Mirpurkhas, Jamshoro, Ghotki and Naushahro Feroze, among are also expected to record temperatures in the 47°C to 50°C range.
Parts of Balochistan, including Panjgur, and southern Punjab districts such as Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bhakkar are expected to see similar highs.
The PMD said that in Punjab and central regions, temperatures may range between 42°C and 45°C, while major cities including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Muzaffarabad are expected to record temperatures 5 to 7 degrees Celsius above normal, also reaching between 42°C and 45°C.
In Malakand and Hazara divisions and Gilgit-Baltistan, temperatures are likely to exceed 38°C to 40°C, with the Met Office noting that night-time temperatures would also remain higher than normal throughout the heatwave period.
The PMD cautioned that the heatwave could have adverse effects on public health, particularly for children, women and senior citizens. It urged people to avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight between 10am and 4pm, and advised outdoor workers to take precautions according to weather conditions.
