Key points
- Met Office has predicated heatwave in southern Pakistan
- Temperatures are likely to remain 04 to 07 °C above normal
- People, farmers take precautionary measures
- Dust storm/gusty winds are expected in the plains of Punjab, KPK and upper Sindh
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted heatwave like conditions in the south half of the country while dust/thunderstorm-rain is also predicted in northern parts of the country from 08th to 11th April with occasional gaps.
According to a press release, the Met office has forecast that temperatures are likely to remain 04 to 07°C above normal in central/south Punjab, Sindh and parts of Balochistan on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Dawn News reported that Karachi had somewhat pleasant weather on Monday with temperature decreasing to 36°C from 40°C recorded a day earlier, providing some respite to citizens, who had been enduring sizzling weather conditions for the past few days.
The newspaper cited meteorologist Anjum Nazeer Zaigham that the low-pressure area causing intensely hot conditions in the region now lies over upper Sindh, parts of Balochistan, and southern Punjab.
Heatwave
Zaigham said that the heatwave is expected to persist in Sindh for a few more days and that parts of upper Sindh are likely to see windstorm/light showers on April 10/11 under the influence of a shallow westerly wave entering the country.
Meteorologist Zaheer Babar said although most of the southern areas of Pakistan, including most of Sindh and southern Punjab, are currently suffering from a heatwave, this is not the case in Islamabad at the moment, BBC reported.
Since rain is expected in the next few days, there is hope for a change in the weather here, he added.
Hot and humid weather is likely to prevail in Karachi with maximum temperature ranging between 35-37°C on Tuesday (today) and 36-38°C on Wednesday (tomorrow). The minimum temperature is likely to range between 25-27°C.
Possible impacts and advice
About climate change, Zaheer Babar said whenever the temperature increases, people should take the same precautions in hot weather, according to BBC.
He advised people to avoid outdoor activities, organize their daily routine minimize your exposure to sun. He said, “In addition, keep your head covered and do not let your body become dehydrated. Keep drinking water.”
The Met office said that general public especially children, women, and senior citizens, are advised to take precautionary measures due to rising temperatures in central and southern parts of the country. The people have been requested to avoid exposure to sunlight during the daytime and get hydrated.
Farmers are also advised to manage their crop activities (wheat harvesting) keeping in view the weather conditions and take care of their livestock as well.
It added that a shallow westerly wave is likely to enter in upper parts of the country on 08th (evening/night) and may persist till 11th April. Under the influence of this weather system.
According to the met office Rain-wind/thunderstorm are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battagram, Bunner, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Murree, Galliyat, Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from 08th (evening/night) to 11th April with occasional gaps.
Dust/thunderstorm-rain is expected in Potohar region (Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Mianwali and Jhelum) and northeast Punjab) Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore and Sheikhupura) during the period. Isolated hailstorm may also occur during the forecast period.
Dust storm/gusty winds are also expected in the plains of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Sindh during the forecast period.
The Met Office press release stated that all concerned authorities are advised to remain “ALERT” and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation, especially in hilly areas of the country.
