Met department warns of heatwave-like situation this week

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted a situation resembling a heatwave across most regions of the country this week, with a steady rise in daytime temperatures.

In Sindh, South Punjab, and parts of Balochistan, the mercury is expected to rise by two to four degrees Celsius above average. The Met department also anticipates occasional dust or thunderstorms with isolated rainfall in the country’s plains and hilly areas during this period.

The PMD’s weather advisory, issued today, attributes the temperature increase to high atmospheric pressure, which is expected to affect most parts of the country from June 20 to June 24. Daytime temperatures are projected to be four to six degrees Celsius above the norm in upper and central Punjab, Islamabad, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.

The PMD has warned of a potential surge in power and water demand due to the temperature increase and has advised farmers to adjust their crop irrigation schedules accordingly. The public is urged to limit direct sun exposure and to use water sparingly.

This warning follows a red alert for extreme heat issued in neighbouring India, where heatwaves have resulted in at least 98 deaths in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar over the past three days.