Met dept warns of possibility of heatwave from May 1
PMD has activated heatwave cell, hospitals in Karachi told to make arrangements
A young boy swims in water to beat the heat. PMD has predicted dry and hot weather across the country and possible heatwave from May 1. PHOTO: ONLINE
KARACHI:
Several parts of the country are likely to experience a heatwave over the coming two months, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned.
According to PMD officials, the formation of a tropical cyclone and other expected weather conditions may suspend the flow of winds from the sea, leading to extreme temperatures in May and June.
In an advisory issued on Saturday, PMD warned the citizens of Karachi about the possibility of heatwave beginning from May 1. The temperatures during the three-day heatwave are likely to increase as the winds from the sea will remain suspended.
The advisory said the expected heatwave will continue for three days in Karachi. The temperature of Karachi will vary between 40 to 42 degrees centigrade during these three days. The winds blowing from the sea will also be suspended while hot and dry winds could blow from the north and north-west.
Weather conditions that typically give rise to heatwave include temperature exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, humidity as high as 65% and suspension of winds from the sea for several days, the officials said.
"Chances of heatwave are highest during May-June," said Karachi Chief Meteorologist Abdul Rasheed. "In winter, the Sun covers the Earth from the south and is not exactly perpendicular to the surface," he explained, adding that this is not the case in June in particular.
"In June, the Sun is directly on top of the surface of the Earth, leading to extremely hot afternoons and longer periods of the day at peak temperature," Rasheed said. He added that the direction of wind is also reversed due to conditions that also increase chances of cyclone formation. "Instead of getting cool winds from the sea, the country gets warm winds from the east and northwest, increasing humidity to the point that 40 degrees Celsius feels it is five degrees higher."
Following the 2015 heatwave, PMD established a dedicated cell to monitor abnormal weather conditions in summer and alert relevant departments of heatwave likelihood at least three days in advance. This year, the cell was activated on April 1 and will remain operational till the end of October, which also tends to be extremely hot. The cell shares daily reports on temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction with all relevant government departments.
"After the 2015 heatwave, we learnt an important lesson on the value of weather monitoring plans," said Rasheed. "The crisis prompted all relevant institutions to enhance coordination and prepare for extreme weather accordingly."
The chief meteorologist added that since 2015, all stakeholders have been fully alert during summers and have been prepared to deal with any untoward situation arising from extreme weather conditions.
Experts, meanwhile, stress that cities need to increase the number of trees and green belts to combat the devastating effects of heatwaves. They say rapid urban developments have turned metropolises into concrete jungles with little open space and ventilation. They also warned that Ramazan this year would coincide with a potential heatwave and urged people to exercise caution.
Health concerns
Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) emergency department head Dr Seema Jamali advised people to remain indoors between 11am and 4pm, or to cover their heads with wet towels if they absolutely must be outside. She also recommended frequent baths or showers, regular consumption of water and avoiding physically demanding tasks.
According to her, JPMC has made necessary arrangements to help people suffering adverse effects from extreme heat.
"We have set up a special 50-bed ward with a cooling system in addition to the already air-conditioned emergency department. The health facility has also made arrangements for mineral water at various points," Dr Jamali said.
Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Media Management Director Bashir Sadozai also said the likelihood of a repeat of the 2015 summer is unlikely. "We have arrangements at 13 hospitals in the city," he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 28th, 2019.
Several parts of the country are likely to experience a heatwave over the coming two months, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned.
According to PMD officials, the formation of a tropical cyclone and other expected weather conditions may suspend the flow of winds from the sea, leading to extreme temperatures in May and June.
In an advisory issued on Saturday, PMD warned the citizens of Karachi about the possibility of heatwave beginning from May 1. The temperatures during the three-day heatwave are likely to increase as the winds from the sea will remain suspended.
The advisory said the expected heatwave will continue for three days in Karachi. The temperature of Karachi will vary between 40 to 42 degrees centigrade during these three days. The winds blowing from the sea will also be suspended while hot and dry winds could blow from the north and north-west.
Weather conditions that typically give rise to heatwave include temperature exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, humidity as high as 65% and suspension of winds from the sea for several days, the officials said.
"Chances of heatwave are highest during May-June," said Karachi Chief Meteorologist Abdul Rasheed. "In winter, the Sun covers the Earth from the south and is not exactly perpendicular to the surface," he explained, adding that this is not the case in June in particular.
"In June, the Sun is directly on top of the surface of the Earth, leading to extremely hot afternoons and longer periods of the day at peak temperature," Rasheed said. He added that the direction of wind is also reversed due to conditions that also increase chances of cyclone formation. "Instead of getting cool winds from the sea, the country gets warm winds from the east and northwest, increasing humidity to the point that 40 degrees Celsius feels it is five degrees higher."
Following the 2015 heatwave, PMD established a dedicated cell to monitor abnormal weather conditions in summer and alert relevant departments of heatwave likelihood at least three days in advance. This year, the cell was activated on April 1 and will remain operational till the end of October, which also tends to be extremely hot. The cell shares daily reports on temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction with all relevant government departments.
"After the 2015 heatwave, we learnt an important lesson on the value of weather monitoring plans," said Rasheed. "The crisis prompted all relevant institutions to enhance coordination and prepare for extreme weather accordingly."
The chief meteorologist added that since 2015, all stakeholders have been fully alert during summers and have been prepared to deal with any untoward situation arising from extreme weather conditions.
Experts, meanwhile, stress that cities need to increase the number of trees and green belts to combat the devastating effects of heatwaves. They say rapid urban developments have turned metropolises into concrete jungles with little open space and ventilation. They also warned that Ramazan this year would coincide with a potential heatwave and urged people to exercise caution.
Health concerns
Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) emergency department head Dr Seema Jamali advised people to remain indoors between 11am and 4pm, or to cover their heads with wet towels if they absolutely must be outside. She also recommended frequent baths or showers, regular consumption of water and avoiding physically demanding tasks.
According to her, JPMC has made necessary arrangements to help people suffering adverse effects from extreme heat.
"We have set up a special 50-bed ward with a cooling system in addition to the already air-conditioned emergency department. The health facility has also made arrangements for mineral water at various points," Dr Jamali said.
Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Media Management Director Bashir Sadozai also said the likelihood of a repeat of the 2015 summer is unlikely. "We have arrangements at 13 hospitals in the city," he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 28th, 2019.