As temperatures soar across Pakistan, the Meteorological Department issues warnings of prolonged heatwaves persisting until next week. The scorching conditions, expected to peak in Sindh and Punjab provinces, have prompted urgent calls from the government for citizens to stay hydrated and take necessary precautions.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), temperatures are anticipated to surge 4-6°C above normal levels, with highs ranging between 40-42°C from May 21-23. The forecast further predicts a staggering rise, with temperatures soaring to 42-44°C from May 23-27, well surpassing seasonal averages.
May and June typically mark the zenith of Pakistan’s summer, and this year’s temperatures threaten to surpass previous records. The authorities, mindful of the catastrophic heatwave in Karachi in 2015, which claimed over 1,200 lives and afflicted thousands more, are mobilizing preemptive measures to mitigate risks.
Recent years have witnessed alarming spikes in temperatures, with reports of fatalities reaching 65 during the scorching months of March to May 2022 alone. The imminent heatwave is poised to envelop vast swathes of the country, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Balochistan, with districts like Larkana, Jacobabad, and Dadu bracing for the brunt of the heat.
In anticipation of the heatwave’s impact on urban areas, meteorologists caution about the grave risks it poses to public health and safety. Vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and the unwell, are particularly susceptible, prompting urgent appeals for protective measures and ensuring essential supplies of water and electricity.
Attributing the heatwave to weather patterns and elevated atmospheric pressure, the PMD underscores the exacerbating role of climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions, urban expansion, and diminishing green spaces in megacities exacerbate the intensity of the heatwaves, necessitating a concerted effort towards climate resilience and sustainable urban planning.
In response to the impending crisis, adjustments in school timings and truncated hours are underway in Islamabad and Punjab, while Sindh announces extended summer vacations to safeguard students from the blistering heat.
As Pakistan grapples with the searing temperatures, the government, alongside meteorological agencies, underscores the imperative of proactive measures to safeguard public health and mitigate the impact of climate-induced heatwaves.
