Islamabad: Pakistan is likely to experience an intensifying heatwave over the coming weeks, with temperatures in parts of south Punjab, upper Sindh and southern and eastern Balochistan expected to rise as high as 52°C, while most areas are already recording temperatures 2 to 4°C above normal, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned on Sunday.
In its latest weather advisory issued on April 27, the PMD said May and June are expected to be the hottest months of the year, with heat-prone regions facing extreme conditions. It noted that while normal temperatures in these areas typically range between 43°C and 45°C during this period, ongoing conditions have already pushed temperatures above seasonal averages.
The department said global climate indicators, including ENSO and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), are currently in a neutral phase, but there is a 61 percent probability of El Niño developing between May and July, which could further influence weather patterns in the region.
According to the advisory, a mild heatwave is likely to develop in southern parts of the country from April 29 to May 3, raising concerns about rising heat stress in already vulnerable areas.
However, the PMD said some temporary relief is expected in upper parts of the country due to a westerly weather system, which is likely to affect these areas from the night of April 27 to April 29 and again from May 3 to May 5. During this period, temperatures may drop by 2 to 4°C.
The meteorological department said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation and will issue further updates if heatwave conditions intensify.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over extreme weather patterns linked to climate variability, with experts cautioning that prolonged heat spells could impact public health, agriculture and water resources, particularly in already heat-prone regions.