With parts of Sindh and Punjab firmly in the grip of a heatwave, Mohenjo Daro and Larkana have become the hottest places in Pakistan, with temperatures soaring to around 53 degrees Celsius in the Indus Valley Civilization’s historic site.
Jacobabad recorded 52 degrees, according to the Met Office, which also indicated that these extreme weather conditions would persist in the area for another five to six days.
Over the weekend, Thatta was the only location in Sindh to register temperatures below 40 degrees.
On Sunday, the Met Office forecasted that heatwave conditions would continue in the plains for the next 24 hours. Coastal areas, meanwhile, can expect hot and humid weather.
Karachi is also set for a sweltering week, with temperatures expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius.
“The mercury is likely to reach 40°C or higher in Karachi due to a change in wind direction on May 29 and May 30,” said chief meteorologist Dr. Sardar Sarfaraz, adding that temperatures would drop slightly in the upper and central parts of Sindh after May 27.
In South Punjab, Khanpur in the Rahim Yar Khan district recorded a maximum temperature of 50.2°C. Several other cities in the province also experienced temperatures well above 40°C, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
Bahawalpur saw 48°C, Sargodha 46°C, and Lahore reached 43°C on Sunday, with similar weather expected throughout the week.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, most districts will remain dry and hot, with Dera Ismail Khan recording the highest temperature at 44°C on Sunday and Bannu at 43°C.
“Severe heat is likely in the southern districts of the province,” a Met Office official told the Associated Press of Pakistan. “Daytime temperatures are expected to be 2 to 5 degrees Celsius above normal in southern districts,” the official added, noting potential thundershowers in Upper Dir, Swat, Mansehra, and Kohistan.
Emphasizing the importance of avoiding unnecessary heat exposure, Ministry of Climate Change spokesperson Muhammad Saleem Shaikh told APP that the situation could be particularly serious for children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Pregnant women are also at higher risk. He advised avoiding outdoor activities between 11am and 3pm, the hottest part of the day. Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said it was taking measures to mitigate the heatwave’s effects.
A PDMA spokesperson stated that water provision in Cholistan is being ensured 24 hours a day due to the heatwave situation.
