Officials noted that temperatures in recent days have already been recorded 2°C to 4°C above normal levels, signaling an early onset of intense summer conditions. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned on Saturday that heat wave conditions are likely to develop over large parts of the country from June 7 to 12 as a high pressure system forms in the upper atmosphere, pushing 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 last until June 11, bringing intense heat to several regions.
“Surge conditions are likely to develop over the country from June 7 to 12 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 of 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 between 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 be between 37 and 80°C.
The PMD said temperatures in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Mirpur, Bhimber, Kotli, Bagh and Muzaffarabad could remain 5-7°C above normal and reach between 41-44°C from June 8 to 10.
Across Punjab, the mercury level is expected to rise to between 44-48°C in Lahore, Okara, Kasur, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Joharabad, Khushab, Mianwali, Noor Pur Thal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Y Rahim, Khane, Rahim, Multan, Khane, Rahim, Multan, Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Bhakkar, Layyah and Kot Addu from 8 to June 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 in June to 41°C.
Karachi is also expected to experience very hot weather during the forecast period, with maximum temperatures likely to range between 40-43°C from June 8 to 12.
The department noted that nighttime temperatures would also rise, potentially increasing discomfort and heat stress.
