Karachi, May 18, 2024 – The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted extremely hot weather conditions for southern parts of the country on Sunday, May 19, 2024.
According to the PMD, most regions will experience hot and dry weather, while central and southern areas should prepare for very hot temperatures accompanied by windstorms and dust-raising winds.
In its latest weather bulletin, the PMD indicated that the weather pattern for May 19 will see mainly hot and dry conditions across most parts of Pakistan. However, the southern regions will be hit particularly hard, with temperatures soaring to uncomfortable levels. This extreme weather will be exacerbated by windstorms, making the environment more challenging.
Contrastingly, the northern and some central regions will experience more varied weather. Partly cloudy skies with rain-windstorm or thunderstorms are expected in upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, upper and central Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir. This divergence is due to a shallow westerly wave impacting the upper and western parts of the country, expected to persist over the next 24 hours.
The forecast for Saturday, May 18, showed mainly dry weather with gusty and dust-raising winds across most of Pakistan. However, isolated rain-windstorm or thunderstorms were predicted in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, the Pothohar region, upper and southern Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir. Some areas also experienced isolated hailstorms during this period.
Reflecting on the weather over the past 24 hours, the PMD reported hot and dry conditions prevailing across much of the country. Southern and central regions, in particular, experienced very hot weather. Windstorms and dust-raising winds occurred in Islamabad and the plains of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, while isolated rain-thunderstorms were recorded in parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Rainfall measurements included Mirkhani in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa receiving 3 mm, Kalam 2 mm, and Bannu and Drosh each recording 1 mm. In Balochistan, Kalat also received 1 mm of rain.
Today’s highest temperatures highlighted the intensity of the heatwave. Shaheed Benazirabad recorded a scorching 49°C, while Dadu and Jacobabad both reached 48°C. Padidan and Sakrand also faced extreme heat with temperatures hitting 47°C.
Citizens in the affected areas are advised to take necessary precautions to cope with the extreme heat. The PMD recommends staying hydrated, avoiding direct sunlight during peak hours, and keeping informed of the latest weather updates. Authorities are also urged to be on alert for potential heat-related health issues and to provide necessary support to vulnerable populations.
