A record heatwave continued to tighten its grip over large sections of the nation on Tuesday, with temperatures in several regions predicted to touch a record-breaking 48°C over the next few days, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) cautioned.
The Met Office says temperatures in southern Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan will hover 4 to 6°C above average.
In central and upper regions of the country — that is, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and upper Punjab — temperatures may increase by 5 to 7°C above normal daytime temperatures.
In Punjab, forecasts place Lahore’s high at 43°C, while Bahawalpur may reach 45°C. Dera Ghazi Khan could be one of the hottest areas, with temperatures expected to hit 47°C. Multan will reach 44°C, Sargodha 45°C and Rawalpindi 40°C.
In Sindh, Karachi will be relatively cooler at 36°C, but inland urban centers like Hyderabad (42°C), Sukkur (45°C) and Nawabshah (46°C) will have to withstand extreme heat.
Temperatures in Balochistan’s Sibi may reach 48°C, making it one of the hottest spots in the country. In Quetta and Gwadar, forecasts predict highs of 38°C and 36°C, respectively.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will also face the heat, with temperatures in Peshawar expected to hit 44°C, Bannu 41°C, and Dera Ismail Khan 45°C.
The north will see Gilgit up to 36°C and Rawalakot up to 30°C. The federal capital Islamabad will see temperatures at up to 42°C.
The PMD has forecasted that the ongoing heatwave will last for the next four days, with Saturday and Sunday being particularly severe. “Hot and dry weather is expected to dominate the entire country on May 22 and 23. The plains will particularly witness temperatures much above normal,” said the Met Office.
Authorities have called on citizens to observe precautionary measures, particularly between the peak afternoon sun.
