Karachi weather: No let-up in heatwave as high temperatures hold

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday said Karachi remains in the grip of a heatwave, with high temperatures expected to persist over the next 24 hours.

According to the Met Office, maximum temperatures in the city are forecast to range between 39°C and 41°C, while the minimum recorded temperature stood at 25°C.

Relative humidity has reached around 46%, accompanied by dry northwesterly winds blowing at a speed of 4 kilometres per hour.

The department has advised that the heatwave is likely to persist in the city until April 23, urging the public to stay hydrated.

Meanwhile, several other districts in rural Sindh also continue to face intense heat, with Jacobabad recording 43 degrees Celsius over the past 24 hours and Shaheed Benazirabad hitting 42 degrees Celsius.

Other parts of northern Pakistan, including Swat and Mingora, experienced heavy rainfall and thundershowers late Sunday night, bringing temporary relief and cooler temperatures.

The Met Office has also forecast strong winds and isolated thundershowers for upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan today.

Earlier on Sunday, PMD spokesperson Anjum Nazir Zaighum explained that the western system disrupted normal air flow, driving the heatwave.

He noted the sea breeze might return after sunset, but if it remained inactive during daylight hours, conditions could worsen further.

The department had advised residents to take precautions, urging people to stay indoors during peak heat, limit travel, remain hydrated, and protect vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and women.