Mercury shoots to rare 53°C in upper Sindh

The upper Sindh areas sizzled in unprecedented heat on Sunday as the mercury stayed well above 50°C with the maximum temperature of 53°C recorded in Mohenjo Daro, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

According to the PMD, temperatures reached 51°C in Jacobabad and Dadu, while Khanpur, Khairpur, Larkana, Padidan, Sukkur, Sibbi, and Rohri experienced a scorching 50°C. Nawabshah recorded a sweltering 49°C, while the neighbouring town of Sakrand registered 47°C.

A similar extreme heat prevailed in southern Punjab but the maximum temperatures remained fractionally below 50°C, according to the PMD. the hottest areas of Punjab were Rahim Yar Khan, Bhakkar, Dera Ghazi Khan and Kot Addu, where mercury shot to 49°C.

The highest maximum temperatures soared to 48 °C in Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Jhang, Joharabad, Layyah, Kasur, Noorpur Thal in Punjab, besides Dera Ismail Khan, in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Turbat in Balochistan.

According to the synoptic situation, the PMD said, continental air was prevailing over most parts of the country, therefore, the ongoing heatwave conditions were likely to prevail over most plain areas of the country during the next two days, while gusty winds or dust storms were expected during the afternoon.
At the same time, the PMD added, a shallow westerly wave was present over northern parts of the country. As a result, partly cloudy weather with light rain-thunderstorms might occur at isolated places in Gilgit-Baltistan during the evening/night.

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The PMD office in Karachi forecast that heatwave conditions would likely prevail in most districts of Sindh during the next 24 hours. With hot and humid weather in coastal areas. It said that daytime temperatures would remain 6-8 degrees Centigrade above normal in upper Sindh districts.

Ministry issues guidelines

In a related development, the Ministry of Climate Change has stressed the need for public awareness and vigilance in the face of increasing heatwave risks across the country.

With temperatures soaring and heatwaves becoming more frequent, the ministry highlighted the need for individuals to take proactive measures to safeguard their health.

According to ministry officials, the intensifying heat poses significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and pregnant women. Dehydration, heat exhaustion, and other heat-related illnesses can have serious consequences if not addressed promptly.

To mitigate the impact of heatwaves, the ministry advises the public to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities during peak hours of heat, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Pregnant women, in particular, are urged to take extra precautions to stay cool and hydrated.

Furthermore, the ministry is closely monitoring the situation and collaborating with relevant authorities to implement measures aimed at reducing the adverse effects of heat waves. Awareness campaigns are underway to educate the public about preventive measures and provide guidance on staying safe during extreme heat conditions.