The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday issued a heatwave advisory, forecasting a significant rise in day temperatures across various regions of the country from May 21 to 27.
Citizens have been urged to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from the severe heat conditions expected.
According to the PMD, daytime temperatures are predicted to soar 4°C to 6°C above normal in Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Balochistan during this period.
In Sindh and Punjab, temperatures are likely to be 4°C to 6°C above normal from May 21 to 23, escalating further to 6°C to 8°C above normal from May 23 to 27.
The synoptic situation indicates that continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country, contributing to the increased temperatures. On Tuesday, the weather is expected to be mainly hot and dry in most areas, with very hot conditions anticipated in the central and southern regions.
In light of these conditions, the PMD has advised the public to avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight and to use water judiciously.
The extreme heat and dry conditions pose a heightened risk of bushfires and forest fires, particularly in vulnerable areas of Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and northeast Balochistan.
Over the past 24 hours, hot and dry weather has prevailed across much of the country, with particularly intense heat in the southern and central parts. However, isolated rain-thunderstorms were reported in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
