Heat wave to intensify across Pakistan: PMD

ISLAMABAD: According to meteorologists, a high-pressure region is going to develop in the upper layer of the atmosphere starting May 25, while continuing to gain strength from May 26 onwards.

As a result of this, it will cause an extremely severe heat wave in the coming days across Pakistan. Meteorological experts have stated that under the given weather situation, a moderate to severe heat wave will continue in Pakistan until May 31.

As per the forecast, temperatures are going to remain quite higher than seasonal averages with a rise of 5 to 7°C above the normal in many parts.

Temperatures during the day may register between 42°C and 45°C in urban and rural areas of northern and central parts of the country, including Peshawar, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Kohat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Lahore, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Okara, Kasur, Faisalabad, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Kotli, and Bhimber.

The temperature in cooler northern and hillous areas like Malakand, Hazara Division, Gilgit Baltistan, Bagh, Rawalakot, Neelum Valley, Haveli, and Sudhanoti will remain some 5 to 7°C above normal with a maximum of 38°C and 40°C.

On the other hand, the heat is expected to be even more intense in the areas of the southern and central plains, where temperatures could increase by 4°C to 6°C above normal.

These areas will see a temperature rise ranging between 47°C and 50°C, which includes districts such as Sukkur, Shikarpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Larkana, Mohenjo Daro, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Tharparkar, Badin, Sujawal, Thatta, Hyderabad, Matiyari, Tando Muhammad Khan, Umerkot, Ghotki, Khairpur, Naushero Feroze, Mirpur Khas, Jamshoro, Sanghar, Sibbi, Turbat, Panjgur, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Waziristan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Pakpattan, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Addu, Sargodha, Joharabad, Khushab, Mianwali, Noor Pur Thal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, and Sahiwal.

Similarly, the meteorologists say that very hot conditions would persist in Karachi throughout the forecast period, with temperatures remaining at 35.