Heatwave forces early summer vacations

LAHORE:

An ongoing heatwave in Punjab has forced the provincial government to reduce school hours and announce early summer holidays from May 28.

The school timings till the beginning of the holidays will be from 7:30am to 11:30am.

According to a notification, the Punjab School Education Department announced on Tuesday that the educational institutions would be closed for summer holidays from May 28 instead of June 1 as announced earlier.

The schools across the province will reopen after the holidays on August 15.

The Punjab Higher Education Department also announced that the summer vacations in colleges and universities would begin on May 28.

A spokesperson for the Pakistan Meteorological Department said the prevailing heatwave was likely to continue during the ongoing week. The maximum temperature in Lahore on Tuesday was recorded as 42 degree Celsius.

The spokesman said a high pressure is likely to persist in upper atmosphere during the current week. Under the influence of this meteorological condition, day temperatures were likely to remain four to 6°C above normal in South Punjab till May 24.

The day temperatures in central and upper Punjab are likely to remain up to 7°C above normal during the period. Dust storms and gusty winds are expected at isolated places in the plain areas due to excessive heat during the period.

Due to the heatwave, the residents, especially children, women and senior citizens have been advised to take precautionary measures, avoid direct exposure to sunlight during the day time and remain hydrated.

Farmers were advised to manage their crop activities while keeping in view the weather conditions and take care of their livestock as well.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) also issued an alert regarding temperature rise and heatwave.

Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed issued instructions to the commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province to remain alert. He stated that the departments concerned, including the district administrations, should be on alert in view of the heatwave.

The alert has been also been issued to the departments of school education, health, transport, local government and Rescue 1122, sharing concerns regarding the temperature rise and heatwave in major cities and plains of Punjab till May 24.

There is a possibility of an unusual increase in temperature in the next few days. Due to the heatwave, there are also chances of strong winds and thunderstorms in some places in the plains.

PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said that an alert has been issued to the district administrations to ensure the supply of clean water in public places.

The provision of first aid for heatstroke should be ensured in hospitals and mobile health units, he said.

With additional input from APP