Large parts of country set to experience heatwave conditions from June 7 to 12: PMD

Lead

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a heatwave warning for various parts of the country from June 7 to June 12, according to Dawn. The advisory covers most provinces, predicting temperatures four to six degrees Celsius above normal in several districts, with maximums ranging from 41°C to 51°C depending on the region.

Coverage Comparison

Two reports from Dawn provided the basis of this article. The first focused on the PMD's heatwave warning, detailing region-by-region temperature forecasts and precautionary advice. The second report, published earlier, highlighted a new maximum temperature record set in Sindh's Dadu, where 51.5°C was recorded, along with broader climate trends from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

Key Claims

According to Dawn, the PMD expects maximum temperatures between 41°C and 46°C in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts including Peshawar, Mardan, and Bannu from June 8 to 11. The northern districts of Chitral, Dir, and Swat, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan, will see 37°C to 40°C, from June 8 to 10.

In Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and surrounding areas, temperatures are forecast to range between 41°C and 44°C from June 8 to 10. Punjab's Lahore and its environs may experience 44°C to 48°C from June 8 to 11, according to the PMD advisory.

For Sindh, the PMD predicted maximum temperatures four to six degrees above normal in districts like Sukkur, Jacobabad, and Larkana, with readings expected between 48°C and 51°C from June 7 to 12. Karachi will see 40°C to 43°C from June 8 to 12. The advisory also noted that night temperatures are likely to rise, and warned of dust storms in south Punjab and Sindh.

Perspectives

In a related development, Dawn reported that the PMD announced a new maximum temperature record in Dadu, Sindh, with a reading of 51.5°C, surpassing the normal by 4.5°C and followed by Larkana and Jacobabad at 50.5°C. This record aligns with a UN warning, as reported by Dawn, that global average temperatures are likely to remain at or near record levels this year and for the next four years. The WMO also indicated a 75% chance that the 2026-2030 mean temperature will exceed the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels.

Additionally, the PMD warned at the start of May that El Niño conditions are likely to develop during the 2026 monsoon season, potentially leading to below-normal rainfall over most of South Asia, according to Dawn.

Precautionary Advice

The PMD advisory, as quoted by Dawn, urged the public—especially children, women, and senior citizens—to avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight from 10am to 4pm. Farmers were advised to manage crop activities in view of the weather and take care of livestock.