Matric, ninth exams postponed over heatwave alert in Sindh

PMD says port city to witness up to 38 degree Celsius temperature

KARACHI:

The Sindh Education, Universities, and Boards Department has issued a notification warning of a high risk of heatwave across the province, as predicted by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

Owing to the expected extreme heat conditions, the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) has postponed the Class IX and X annual exams for science and general groups, for regular and private students scheduled from May 21-27.

However, the exam scheduled on May 28 will proceed as planned, whereas new dates for the postponed exams will be announced soon.

The papers postponed from May 21 to 27 will be conducted from May 28 to June 4. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a heatwave warning for central and northern Sindh, with temperatures rising by six to eight degrees.

However, according to Karachi's Chief Meteorologist, Sardar Sarfaraz, there is no chance of a heatwave in Karachi. A heatwave means a 4 to 5-degree increase from the normal temperature, occurring when the temperature consistently reaches 41 degrees Celsius for four days. However, this is not expected to happen in Karachi. The weather is expected to remain hot and humid for the next 10 days, with temperatures ranging between 36 to 38 degrees Celsius.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2024.