Mohenjo Daro experienced Pakistan’s highest temperature on record this year as the mercury soared to a blistering 51 degrees Celsius on Friday.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported that the district of Sindh, along with other plains across the country, is currently in the grip of an intense heatwave.
The PMD recorded some of the highest temperatures across various districts today. Besides Mohenjo Daro’s scorching 51 degrees, Khairpur and Jacobabad reached 50 degrees. Rohri, Larkana, Sukkur, and Dadu recorded 49 degrees, while Khanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Padidan, Sibbi, and DG Khan saw temperatures of 48 degrees. Shaheed Benazir Abad, Bahawalnagar, Kot Addu, Lasbela, and Mithi experienced 47 degrees.
The prevailing continental air and high-pressure system in the upper atmosphere are contributing to the extreme heat, a situation expected to persist over the next two to three days. This high-pressure system is keeping much of the country’s weather hot and dry.
Today’s weather, May 24, 2024, has predominantly been hot and dry across most regions. However, isolated rain-wind and thunderstorms are anticipated in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and adjoining hilly areas. The PMD forecast for Saturday, May 25, 2024, indicates that heatwave conditions will likely continue to affect most of the country’s plains. Partly cloudy conditions with isolated rain-wind/thunderstorms are expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.
In the past 24 hours, the country has seen extremely hot weather prevailing over most areas. However, some regions experienced rain-windstorms and thunderstorms, particularly in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Pothohar region, and Islamabad. Rainfall measurements included 5 mm in Pattan, 4 mm in Lower Dir, 3 mm in Upper Dir, 2 mm in Malam Jabba, 1 mm in Chitral, 3 mm in Rawalpindi Chaklala, and 2 mm at Islamabad Airport.
The ongoing heatwave is causing significant concern for public health and safety. Authorities are advising residents in affected areas to take necessary precautions, such as staying hydrated, avoiding direct sunlight, and refraining from strenuous outdoor activities during peak heat hours. Local governments are also on high alert to respond to potential heatstroke incidents and other heat-related emergencies.
This extreme weather at Mohenjo Daro and other parts of the country highlights the urgent need for adaptive measures and resilience-building in the face of increasingly severe climate conditions affecting the region.
