Hot weather on the cards during Eid as PMD predicts heatwave from May 25-31

Heatwave conditions are likely to persist across the country from May 25 to May 31, with the mercury expected to touch 50°C in some parts of the country, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Thursday.

The federal government has announced a three-day public holiday from May 26-28 (Tuesday to Thursday) to mark Eidul Azha.

In an advisory, the department predicted that “high pressure is likely to develop in the upper atmosphere on May 25 and likely to strengthen on May 26”, under the influence of which, “moderate to severe” heatwave conditions are expected to develop from May 25 to May 31.

It said the maximum temperature was likely to remain 4-6°C above normal and may rise to 47-50°C in the following districts: Sukkur, Shikarpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Larkana, Mohenjo Daro, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Tharparkar, Badin, Sujawal, Thatta, Hyderabad, Matiyari, Tando Muhamad Khan, Umerkot, Ghotki, Khairpur, Nausheroferoze, 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 Sing and Sahiwal.

In 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 was likely to remain 5-7°C above normal, resulting in mercury rising to 42-45°C.

“Maximum temperature is likely to remain 5-7°C above normal and may rise to 38-40°C in the districts of Malakand, Hazara Division, Gilgit Baltistan, Bagh, Rawalakot, Neelum Valley, Haveli and Sudhanoti,” the department said.

For Karachi, the PMD predicted “very hot weather” with the temperature likely to remain between 35-38°C.

It further stated that nighttime temperatures would rise during the forecast period. It advised the public, particularly women, children, and the elderly, to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary exposure to sunlight and stay hydrated.

“Farmers are advised to manage their crop activities keeping in view the weather conditions and take care of their livestock as well,” it said, advising citizens to exercise judicious use of water and electricity during the forecast period.

On May 4, at least 10 people died across Karachi due to intense heat as the mercury surged to 44.1°C — the highest temperature recorded since 2018 — accompanied by gusts of continental winds that persisted throughout the day, officials said.