LAHORE, PAKISTAN — Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan are bracing for a continued and intense heatwave, with temperatures expected to remain 4 to 7 degrees Celsius above seasonal averages until at least June 12 (Thursday), the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed on Monday. The alarming conditions are pushing temperatures into potentially life-threatening territory.
The Met Office has issued a similar warning for Gilgit-Baltistan, projecting a 5 to 7 degree Celsius increase, and highlighted that the sustained high temperatures could accelerate glacier melting in the region this week, urging precautionary measures.
Sargodha recorded Punjab’s highest temperature on Monday at a scorching 47°C. Major urban centers such as Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad experienced temperatures around 45°C.
Other districts, including Toba Tek Singh, Sahiwal, Okara, Mandi Bahauddin, Khanewal, Kasur, Layyah, Jhang, and Hafizabad, ranged between 40°C and 42°C. Southern Punjab, particularly Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Multan, is anticipated to face the most severe impact of the heatwave.
In response to the escalating heat, PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia has directed all relevant agencies to remain on high alert. Emergency measures are being implemented, including the provision of clean drinking water in the arid Cholistan region, the activation of dedicated heatstroke counters in all hospitals, and the stocking of essential medicines for heat-related illnesses.
Authorities are actively using social media to warn citizens about the severe risks posed by the extreme heat. The PDMA has also issued an advisory urging the public to take immediate precautions. It emphasizes special care for vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, as they are most susceptible to heatstroke.
The public has been advised to strictly avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, especially strenuous work or exercise, during peak sunlight hours (10 am to 4 pm). Wearing light-colored, loose cotton clothing and maintaining adequate hydration are deemed essential.
The authority stressed the importance of public vigilance, warning that the effects of the heatwave can be severe and swift. For emergencies, particularly symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or fainting, citizens are advised to contact the PDMA helpline immediately at 1129.
Meanwhile, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25, released on Monday, Pakistan experienced its ninth warmest year on record in 2024. The national average temperature reached 23.52°C, which is 0.71°C higher than the long-term average.
This alarming data reveals an accelerating warming trend across most regions of the country. July 2024 was particularly extreme, becoming the second-hottest July in 64 years, with temperatures going 1.26°C above normal. Furthermore, October broke all records as the hottest October ever recorded, with temperatures soaring 2.48°C above average.
