Islamabad: The Meteorological Department issued a warning on Thursday, stating that intense heatwaves are expected to affect a large portion of the country in the upcoming 10 days. The forecast also includes dust storms, thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall in the northern regions of the country.
The advisory has cautioned that due to high pressure in the upper atmosphere, heatwave conditions are expected in various parts of the country, particularly in Punjab and Sindh starting from May 21. A severe heatwave is anticipated from May 23 to 27.
Daytime temperatures in Sindh and Punjab are forecasted to be 4 to 6 degrees centigrade above normal from May 21 to 23, and 6 to 8°C above normal from May 23 to 27.
In Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Balochistan, daytime temperatures are expected to be 4 to 6°C above normal from May 21 to 27.
Authorities are urged to stay vigilant and implement necessary measures to cope with the impending heatwave.
Dr. Muhammad Afzaal, the Director of Research and Development at the PMD in Islamabad, has described a heatwave as temperatures exceeding the normal limit by 5°C for three or more consecutive days.
Rain, thunderstorms
The advisory from the Met office stated that the upper parts of the country would be affected by a shallow westerly wave on the evening and night of May 16. As a result of this weather system, Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Sherani, Barkhan, Kalat, Khuzdar, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Kharan, and Mastung were expected to experience dust storms, thunderstorms, and isolated rain from May 16 to 19.
Similar weather conditions were anticipated in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Malakand, Waziristan, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Karak, Khyber, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, and Kurram in KP from May 16 to 19.
In GB and Azad Kashmir, Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar, Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur were expected to experience rain, wind, and thunderstorms from May 16 to 19.
Punjab was likely to experience rain accompanied by dust storms and thunderstorms in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Khushab, Sargodha, and Mianwali from May 16 to 18.
In Sindh, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana, and Dadu were expected to experience the same weather pattern on May 17 and 18.
Farmers have been alerted by the Met Office about potential effects on crops and have been urged to take necessary precautions. It is recommended that individuals limit their exposure to direct sunlight and stay hydrated.
Version 1: The Met Office has cautioned farmers about potential impacts on crops and recommended that they take necessary precautions. It is advised for people to minimize exposure to direct sunlight and stay hydrated.
