Potential Heatwave Alert for Sindh, Including Karachi

An emerging low-pressure system in the Arabian Sea, fueled by unusually high sea surface temperatures, may induce a heatwave across Sindh, including Karachi, between May 24 and June 1, according to weather forecasts.

The disturbance is presently situated near India’s western coastline and could intensify into a significant depression, or possibly a cyclone, by May 24 or 25 if conditions remain conducive.

Karachi is anticipated to experience a heightened heat impact due to an expected pause in the sea breeze, which could elevate daytime temperatures beyond 40°C, forecasters have cautioned.

Should the system evolve into a cyclone, it will be designated as Shakti, a term proposed by Sri Lanka that translates to ‘power’.

Experts emphasize that it is currently premature to accurately project the system’s trajectory, but further updates regarding its path are anticipated in the coming days.

In coastal regions such as Karachi, the combination of elevated temperatures and humidity, referred to as the Heat Index or perceived temperature, intensifies the discomfort.

During intense summers, indoor temperatures can even surpass outdoor conditions, posing a considerable challenge for residents already facing frequent power disruptions.

However, current indices often fail to comprehensively capture the complexities of heat stress, overlooking elements such as wind velocity, solar angle, and cloud cover.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a forecast on Monday, indicating that heatwave conditions are likely to persist throughout the week.

In its daily weather advisory, the Met Office highlighted the likelihood of sustained high pressure in the upper atmosphere during the ongoing week.

As a result of this system, daytime temperatures are expected to remain 4 to 6°C above the typical range in the southern part of the country (Sindh, southern Punjab, and Balochistan) from May 20 to May 24.

Concurrently, daytime temperatures are also projected to remain 5 to 7°C above normal in the northern regions (central and upper Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan) during the same period.

The advisory also noted that dust storms and strong winds are anticipated in scattered locations over the plains due to extreme heat during the forecast timeframe.

The PMD has advised all relevant authorities to maintain vigilance and implement necessary precautions to mitigate potential adverse effects from the heatwave conditions.