LAHORE: Amid soaring temperatures nearing 50 degrees Celsius and early monsoon rains, authorities have issued multiple advisories urging emergency preparedness across several regions.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) announced a five-day heatwave alert for Punjab, with southern districts including Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, and Multan under a “Heatwave Emergency.” Central Punjab cities such as Lodhran, Vehari, Khanewal, Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, and Jhang received a “Hot Day Warning,” while Lahore, Gujranwala, and Sheikhupura face a “Hot Day Alert.”
Recent temperature records include 48 degrees Celsius in Mohenjo-Daro, Jacobabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Sibi. Dera Ghazi Khan, Dadu, Larkana, and Turbat recorded up to 47 degrees. A persistent high-pressure system is driving dry and hot weather in low-lying areas.
Alongside heat, PMD warns of potential widespread flooding during the monsoon season, especially in central and southern regions, with northeastern Punjab and parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir expected to see above-normal rainfall. This raises flood risks in major cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, and Karachi.
Officials are monitoring flash flood threats in hilly northern areas such as Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where below-normal rainfall is forecast. A new weather system is expected to bring thunderstorms, strong winds, and isolated hail to upper regions, posing risks to infrastructure.
Recent rain-related incidents have caused casualties. In Attock’s Bahadurgaon, a child died and five others were injured. A wall collapse injured a girl in Jasian village, and lightning strikes caused shock to two in Rawalpindi. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported four deaths and ten injuries from rain-related incidents on Thursday.
