PMD warns of heatwave, temperatures could surge to extreme levels

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that a mild heatwave is expected to grip southern parts of Pakistan from April 29 to May 3, with temperatures likely to rise further above normal in already heat-prone regions.

The Met Office said that temperatures in southern Punjab, upper Sindh, and southern and eastern Balochistan were currently 2 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal and could increase during the forecast period.

May and June are typically the hottest months of the year in these regions, where temperatures normally range between 43 and 45 degrees Celsius, but can climb as high as 52 degrees during extreme heatwave conditions.

The PMD said a low-intensity heatwave would affect southern regions during the specified period and advised citizens to take precautionary measures.

Global climate indicators, including the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), are currently in a neutral phase, though there is a 61 per cent likelihood of El Niño conditions developing between May and July, the department said.

Meanwhile, the PMD said that westerly weather systems are expected to affect upper parts of the country from the night of April 27 to April 29 and again from May 3 to May 5, which could bring a drop of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in temperatures in those areas.

The PMD said that it was closely monitoring the situation and would issue timely alerts if heatwave conditions intensify.