PMD warns of heatwave across large parts of Pakistan from June 7 to 12

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned that heatwave conditions are likely to affect broad parts of the country from June 7 to June 12, with daytime temperatures expected to climb well above seasonal averages in several regions.

According to the PMD, districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Peshawar, Mardan, Bannu, Karak, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan are likely to record maximum temperatures between 41°C and 46°C from June 8 to 11, which would be 4°C to 6°C above normal. In the province’s northern districts — Chitral, Dir and Swat — as well as in Gilgit-Baltistan, temperatures are expected to range between 37°C and 40°C from June 8 to 10.

The forecast also covers Islamabad and adjoining areas. The PMD said maximum temperatures are expected to remain between 41°C and 44°C from June 8 to 10 in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Mirpur, Bhimber, Kotli, Bagh and Muzaffarabad.

Punjab and Sindh among hardest-hit regions

In Punjab, the department said Lahore, Okara, Kasur, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Joharabad, Khushab, Mianwali, Noorpur Thal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Pakpattan, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Bhakkar, Layyah and Kot Addu are expected to see maximum temperatures between 44°C and 48°C from June 8 to 11.

The PMD said parts of Sindh and Balochistan are likely to face the most intense conditions. It said maximum temperatures in Sukkur, Shikarpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Larkana, Mohenjo Daro, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Ghotki, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze, Sibi, Turbat and Panjgur may stay 4°C to 6°C above normal, with temperatures expected to range from 48°C to 51°C between June 7 and 12.

For Karachi, the department forecast maximum temperatures of 40°C to 43°C from June 8 to 12. It also cautioned that night temperatures are likely to rise during the forecast period.

Advisory urges precautions

The PMD also warned that dust storms could occur in south Punjab and Sindh due to the heat. In its advisory, the department asked the public — particularly children, women and senior citizens — to remain careful during the heatwave.

The advisory said farmers should plan crop-related work in line with the prevailing weather and also protect their livestock. The PMD further advised people to avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight between 10am and 4pm, adding that electricity demand and consumption could also increase during the period.

The department said the heatwave is expected to persist in different parts of the country through June 12 under the forecast currently in place.