ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a nationwide heatwave alert until May 5, warning of dangerously high temperatures across several regions and urging authorities to prepare for a surge in heat-related illnesses.
In its latest advisory, the NDMA said a severe heatwave is expected to affect parts of Sindh, southern Punjab, and Balochistan, with temperatures likely to rise significantly in the coming days.
Major cities, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, and Turbat, are expected to remain under intense heat conditions.
The authority also warned of a “significant rise” in temperatures in parts of central Punjab and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“Due to severe heat, there is a risk of increased cases of heatstroke, dehydration, and other health-related issues,” the NDMA said, advising the public to avoid direct sunlight during peak hours and to stay hydrated.
The alert comes amid increasingly unpredictable climate patterns across South Asia, with experts linking Pakistan’s frequent and intense heatwaves to broader impacts of global warming.
The NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) said current conditions are in line with earlier seasonal forecasts issued months in advance.
Authorities have been directed to activate heatwave response plans, establish cooling centres, and ensure hospitals remain on alert. Provincial and district administrations have also been instructed to stay prepared for any emergency.
In addition to extreme heat, weather advisories indicate chances of thunderstorms and rain in parts of upper and central Punjab, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and surrounding districts between April 24 and 29.
Similar rain and wind activity is expected in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northern Balochistan, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
The NDMA has urged citizens to follow official advisories and use its disaster alert application for timely updates and safety guidance.
