PDMA issues heatwave alert for Punjab districts until May 11
A trio travels on a motorcycle with their heads covered in Hyderabad, where the mercury rose to 39°C on Friday. PHOTO: PPI
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Sunday issued a heatwave alert for various districts of Punjab until May 11.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) also said that dry weather conditions across Punjab continue to intensify the heat, with a steady rise in temperatures being recorded, and that the weather will remain hot and dry over the next 24 hours.
🔥 ہیٹ ویو خطرناک ہے، احتیاط اپنائیں!
7 سے 11 مئی تک پنجاب میں شدید گرمی کی لہر متوقع ہے۔
وزیر اعلی پنجاب کی ہدایات کے پیش نظر متعلقہ محکموں کو الرٹ جاری۔ #pdma #ndma #pdmapunjab #govtofpunjab #govtofpakistan #chiefminister#HeatwaveAlert #Punjab #PDMA pic.twitter.com/Q1kr0BpcDvAccording to the Meteorological Department, Lahore is likely to record a minimum temperature of 27°C, while the maximum may rise up to 40°C.
Due to the severe heat, the use of air conditioners and air coolers in homes and offices has increased, while citizens are also adopting precautionary measures amid fears of a possible heatwave.
Read: Punjab issues heatwave alert as temperatures expected to surge in May, June
PDMA also issued a formal weather alert on Sunday, warning of dust-thunderstorms and rain expected to affect the upper parts of the province from the evening of May 10th through May 12th at night, with occasional gaps.
پی ڈی ایم اے پنجاب کا صوبے کے بیشتر اضلاع میں آج شام سے 12 مئی تک گردوغبار آندھی اور بارش بارے الرٹ
وزیر اعلی پنجاب محترمہ مریم نواز شریف کی ہدایات کے پیش نظر ریسکیو ،واسا، کمشنرز و ڈپٹی کمشنز کو الرٹ رہنے کی ہدایات#ndma #govtofpunjab #govtofpakistan #chiefminister #cmoffice pic.twitter.com/ApxeVhWsaEAccording to the Met Office, a fresh westerly wave is likely to approach northwestern parts of the country on May 10 and is expected to persist until May 12.
The alert warns that dust-thunderstorms and rain are expected in Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Joharabad, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Jhang, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Narowal during this period. Meanwhile, "very hot weather conditions are expected to continue in the southern parts of Punjab".
Authorities have advised citizens to avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun, drink plenty of water, and take precautionary measures to stay safe.
The PMD earlier this week issued a weekly weather outlook warning of a persistent heatwave across several parts of the country from May 6 to 12. According to the forecast, most plain areas of Pakistan are expected to remain under hot and dry conditions during this period.
Read More: PMD issues another heatwave alert for Sindh, warns mercury may climb to 49°C
The Met Office said that daytime temperatures in central and southern regions were likely to remain significantly above normal, with some areas experiencing a rise of 2°C to 6°C above seasonal averages.
It added on Wednesday that southern Punjab, Sindh, and parts of Balochistan were expected to remain among the worst-affected regions, where intense heat conditions would continue during daytime hours. PMD further said that the ongoing heatwave conditions were expected to persist through the forecast period, with no immediate relief in sight.
On Monday, Karachi recorded its hottest day since 2018, as the temperature in the city surged past 44°C. The highest temperature was recorded at the Old Airport Weather Station, where it reached 44.1°C. Due to the intense heat, at least ten bodies were recovered from different parts of the city.
Shahid Chaudhry, spokesperson for Chhipa Foundation, said that four of the deceased were found in critical condition and died during treatment, while the bodies of six others were recovered from homes, mosques, and other locations across the city.