Authorities noted that temperatures between 2°C and 4°C above normal levels have already been recorded in recent days, indicating an early onset of intense summer conditions. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned on Saturday that heat wave conditions were likely to develop over much of the country from June 7 to 12 as a high pressure system formed in the upper atmosphere, raising temperatures significantly above normal levels.
According to a weather advisory issued by the Met Office, the high pressure system was expected to develop on June 8 and persist until June 11, causing intense heat in several regions.
“From June 7 to 12, heat wave conditions are likely to develop in the country under the influence of a high-pressure system in the upper atmosphere,” the PMD said.
The department warned that some districts of Sindh and Balochistan could experience extreme temperatures ranging between 48°C and 51°C during the forecast period.
In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, maximum temperatures were expected to remain 4-6°C above normal and may rise to 41-46°C in Peshawar, Mardan, Bannu, Karak, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan from June 8 to 11. Temperatures in Chitral, Dir, Swat and Gilgit-Baltistan are likely to range between 37 and 40°C from June 8 to 10.
The PMD said temperatures in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Mirpur, Bhimber, Kotli, Bagh and Muzaffarabad could remain 5-7°C above normal, reaching 41-44°C from June 8 to 10.
Across Punjab, mercury levels are forecast to rise to between 44 and 48°C in Lahore, Okara, Kasur, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Joharabad, Khushab, Mianwali, Noor Pur Thal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Pakpattan, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Bhakkar, Layyah and Kot Addu from June 8 to 11.
The Met Office said temperatures in Sukkur, Shikarpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Larkana, Mohenjo-Daro, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Ghotki, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze, Sibbi, Turbat and Panjgur are likely to remain 4-6°C above normal and may rise to 48-51°C from 7 to 12 June.
Karachi is also expected to experience very hot weather during the forecast period, with maximum temperatures likely to range between 40 and 43°C from June 8 to 12.
The department noted that nighttime temperatures would also increase, which could increase discomfort and heat stress.
