Country swelters in scorching heat

The punishing heatwave continued to grip the country on Saturday, as the sun blazed overhead and dry winds intensified public discomfort across urban and rural areas.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a heatwave alert, warning of soaring temperatures across major cities and plains of Punjab until May 19.

"There is a risk of an unusual spike in temperatures over the next few days," a PDMA spokesperson cautioned, adding that temperatures could remain 4 to 7°C above normal until May 20.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Lahore recorded a minimum temperature of 28°C, with the mercury expected to rise to 43°C in the coming days.

The department forecast hot and dry weather to persist for the next two to three days, ruling out any chances of rain.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) recorded the minimum temperature in Lahore at 28°C, with forecasts suggesting the maximum could rise to a blistering 44°C.

The weather is likely to remain hot and dry over the next two to three days, with no chances of rain during this period.

Extreme hot weather has disturbed academic activities, especially for children in small private schools because of poor facilities in classrooms.

The situation is alarming in schools operating in small buildings in cities, including Lahore, which even lack adequate facilities of fans and water. Students in remote districts also suffer during the closing and mid-day hours of schools when the temperature rises.

The Punjab government is likely to consider closing the educational institutions in the province because of the harsh weather and a meeting for the purpose is expected later this week.

The increasing temperature during the past week made it difficult for young children to study in in the congested classrooms.

The worst situation is being faced in small schools constructed in violation of rules that lack the facilities required to continue academic activities.

Health experts have urged the public to stay hydrated, consume cooling fluids and cover their heads when venturing outdoors to reduce the risk of heatstroke.

Meanwhile, thick plumes of smoke blanketed sections of the Lahore-Islamabad and Lahore-Sialkot motorways after farmers set fire to crop stubble late at night, in violation of environmental regulations.