Met Office warns of heatwave in Sindh amid rising humidity

KARACHI: Hot and humid conditions persisted in Karachi on Wednesday as elevated moisture levels made the weather feel harsher than the recorded temperature, according to the Meteorological Department.

The maximum temperature in the city was recorded at 38.1°C, while humidity stood at 58%. The combination pushed the heat index to around 42°C, increasing the intensity of the heat felt by residents.

Officials said winds from different directions continued to blow during the day, while the overall weather remained hot and humid. The higher moisture content in the air added to discomfort and made conditions feel warmer than the actual temperature reading.

Heat index rises above recorded temperature

The Meteorological Department said the city’s weather on Wednesday was shaped not only by the temperature but also by humidity, which significantly affected how the heat was experienced. Although the mercury remained below 39°C, the heat index climbed to about 42°C because of the moisture in the air.

Such conditions can make daytime weather more oppressive, particularly when humidity remains high alongside warm temperatures. In Karachi, the combination of these factors kept the city under uncomfortable weather conditions through the day.

Heatwave forecast for parts of Sindh

According to the Meteorological Department, a new heatwave is expected to affect central and upper Sindh from Thursday, today, and continue until May 11.

The forecast indicates that while Karachi experienced hot and humid weather on Wednesday, more intense heat conditions are likely in other parts of the province over the coming days. The warning specifically applies to central and upper Sindh, where the heatwave is expected to remain in place through May 11.

The department’s outlook comes as humidity in Karachi has already added to the severity of the weather, even without temperatures reaching the levels usually associated with extreme heat. The latest readings showed that moisture in the air played a major role in raising the apparent temperature in the city.

On Wednesday, residents experienced a day marked by heat, humidity and shifting winds, with the Meteorological Department’s forecast now pointing to a broader spell of intense weather in Sindh beginning Thursday.