Heatwave Alert Issued by NDMA for Most of Pakistan

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning regarding an impending heatwave expected to impact a significant portion of the country, commencing Tuesday and lasting until April 27 (Sunday).

The NDMA indicated that arid and elevated temperature conditions are likely to prevail across much of the nation during this timeframe.

Balochistan and Sindh are forecast to experience considerably warmer temperatures than typical throughout the week. High temperatures are also anticipated in the majority of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir.

Nevertheless, the NDMA has also predicted the chance of sporadic rainfall in various regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, alongside certain districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, potentially offering some relief.

In related news, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) stated that Jacobabad recorded the country’s highest temperature in the past 24 hours, reaching 43 degrees Celsius. Other cities experiencing elevated temperatures included Mithi, Bahawalnagar, and Nawabshah (42°C); Karachi, Kasur, and Lasbela (41°C).

Correspondingly, the temperature in Lahore reached 38°C, Islamabad 36°C, Peshawar 35°C, Muzaffarabad 33°C, Quetta 25°C, and Gilgit 22°C.

Karachi is also bracing for the heatwave, with hot and dry conditions predicted for the next 24 hours. The weather forecast indicates a maximum temperature range of 39 to 41 °C in the city. The recorded minimum temperature was 24°C.

The PMD noted that the current humidity level in Karachi is 60%, with gentle southern winds.

A gradual decrease in temperature is expected in Karachi from Thursday onwards, coinciding with the anticipated return of sea breezes.

The NDMA has urged citizens to maintain adequate hydration and implement necessary protective measures during the heatwave. Health professionals are also advising against unnecessary sun exposure, particularly between 11 am and 4 pm.