ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a nationwide heatwave alert from April 13 until the end of next week, urging the public to take precautionary measures as unusually high temperatures are expected to affect large parts of the country.
The weather forecasting institution warned that high pressure is likely to grip the upper parts of the country from Sunday, triggering heatwave conditions in most parts of Pakistan.
PMD said that because of this heatwave, the day temperatures are likely to remain 6 to 8 degrees Celsius above normal in the southern half (Sindh, southern Punjab and Balochistan) from April 14 to 18.
Daytime temperatures are expected to remain 4 to 6°C above normal across the northern regions—including central and upper Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan—from April 14 to 18.
It said the nights will also be warmer during the forecast period.
The Met Office warned that the excessive heat could spark dust storms and windstorms. Authorities have urged the public, particularly children, women, and the elderly, to avoid exposure to direct sunlight, stay indoors during peak hours, and remain hydrated.
Scientists have attributed the early onset of extreme summer conditions in South Asia to climate change, cautioning that more than a billion people in the region face potential heat-related risks.
Farmers have been advised to plan their crop activities, particularly wheat harvesting, in accordance with the prevailing weather conditions, and to ensure proper care of their livestock.
The rising temperatures in northern regions are likely to accelerate snowmelt between April 14 and 18.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has urged government departments to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent any adverse impacts from the weather.
Additionally, the Met Office reported a severe water shortage in the Tarbela and Mangla dams, with river flows at critically low levels across various regions.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan has witnessed significantly below-average rainfall during the first quarter of 2025, with an overall decline of 41 per cent compared to normal levels, and Punjab and Sindh were particularly affected.
