Pakistan at its hottest, says Met

DI Khan sizzles at 51 degrees, breaking 31-year-old record

ISLAMABAD: This year’s summer is turning out to be the hottest in the history of the country, as the mercury fluctuated between 46 to 52 degrees centigrade in most parts of the country on Sunday and Monday.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Director General Dr Ghulam Rasul, while talking to The Express Tribune, said Pakistan is experiencing unusual weather events due to which the temperatures are setting new records.

With the mercury touching 46 degrees centigrade in Islamabad on Sunday, Rasul said: “It is for the first time in the history of Pakistan that the temperature in Islamabad has crossed 45 degrees centigrade for two consecutive days in the beginning of June.”



He added, “The highest temperature in Islamabad was recorded in June 2005 which was 46.6 degrees centigrade. [Sunday’s temperature] was close to breaking the 12-year record.”

Meanwhile, according to PMD statistics, record temperature was also registered in Dera Ismail Khan on Sunday. The temperature in D I Khan shot up to 51 degrees breaking a 31-year record on Sunday. Previously, the highest temperature recorded in D I Khan was 50 degrees centigrade on June 20, 1986.

Other high temperatures recorded on Sunday included Noorpurthal, Bhakkar at 52 degrees centigrade, Sibbi, 51, Sargodha and Risalpur 50, and Mianwali and D G Khan 49.



Meanwhile, the highest temperatures recorded on Monday included 50 degrees centigrade in Sibi, 48 in Bakhar, and 47 in Dadu, Gujrat, DG Khan and DI Khan.

Moreover, a westerly wave is also likely to enter the upper parts of the country Monday night to persist for the 2 to 3 days. The wave may also bring along rains expected to start today (Tuesday) in Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha divisions, Fata, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.

“Due to excessive heat, there will be less rain but more heavy thunder, lightening and hailstorm, accompanied with gusty winds,” said the PMD DG.