Temperatures soared to 49C (120F) on Wednesday in Mohenjo-daro, in the southern Sindh province. These temperatures are more than 8C above May’s average daytime temperature. Authorities in Punjab have been forced to close schools for a week and are advising people to remain indoors. Many laborers have, however, continued to work out of financial necessity.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department, has predicted heatwave conditions until May 27 in most of the country, with parts of Punjab and Sindh the two most populous provinces slated to experience extreme heat.
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Furthermore, two more heatwaves are predicted for June. The ministry blamed unsustainable environmental practices and deforestation for these extreme weather events.
Romina Khurshid Alam, the PM’s climate change coordinator, called on federal and provincial government agencies to use all available means to protect citizens, especially the elderly and children from the intense heat at a press conference.
Citing statistics from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the official stated that temperatures were currently 5 to 6 degrees Celsius higher than average in several places.
She continued by saying that there were 26 districts in Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan experiencing extreme heatwave conditions, which were predicted to last for three waves during the summer.
