KARACHI – The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has said that a moderate heatwave is expected to hit Karachi, as temperature will gradually increase from 38°C to 40°C on Friday (today).
“Due to a high pressure cell, the winds will take turn from southwesterly to northwesterly gradually which will bring hot and dry air mass to Karachi and other coastal areas cutting the sea breeze,” the Met Office reported. Maximum temperature was recorded 46°C yesterday in Dadu city of Sindh.
It also said that day temperatures would gradually increase on Friday from 38°C to 40°C on Sunday and then it will start decreasing attaining the normal level on Wednesday, adding that winds will start blowing from the sea restoring the sea breeze.
According to medical officials, last year, more than one thousand people died in a severe three-day heatwave in Karachi and nearly 80,000 people were treated for the effects of heatstroke and dehydration. However, Pakistan plans to open 500 response centres to provide shelter and cold water to people if a severe heatwave warning is issued.
Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has already directed the health, local government and district administration all over Sindh to take concrete measures to avoid causalities during the forthcoming heatwave. “It is our responsibility to take all out efforts to save people from the forthcoming heatwave which had claimed lot of lives last year,” he said while presiding over a meeting at the Chief Minister’s House on April 12 regarding forthcoming heatwave, its impact and precautionary measures to avoid causalities.
A westerly wave is still affecting Northern parts and its adjoining hilly areas and likely to effect during next 2 to 3 days. Continental air is prevailing over most parts of Pakistan.
Next 24 hrs:
Mainly hot and dry weather is expected over most parts of the country. However, more rain-thunderstorm is expected at isolated places in Malakand, Hazara divisions, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and its adjoining hilly areas.
Next 48 hrs:
Mainly hot and dry weather is expected over most parts of the country. Very hot and dry weather is likely in Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab and KP.
Yesterday’s highest maximum temperatures:
Dadu 46°C, Larkana, R Y Khan, Padidan, Sukkur, Moenjodaro, Sh.Benazirabad 42°C