KARACHI: Sindh heatwave warning has triggered fresh concerns after the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast temperatures as high as 50°C in several districts of the province during the coming days. The PMD said extreme weather in Sindh could continue until May 31 as a strong high-pressure system intensifies across upper and central parts of the province.
The latest heatwave alert issued by PMD states that an area of high pressure in the upper air prevailing over the province of Sindh will strengthen from tomorrow and moderate to severe heatwave will continue till May 31.
The meteorologists have particularly pinpointed the upper regions of Sindh as being the main hotspots. The districts of Sukkur, Larkana, and Dadu will be faced with the severest weather with possible temperatures rising to 47°C to 50°C.
In Tharparkar, Badin, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, and Jamshoro, temperatures will likely settle between 44°C and 47°C dangerously high levels that can cause rapid dehydration, heatstroke, and other life-threatening conditions without proper precautions.
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Safety and Conservation Advisories
The provincial government has warned the people to be extremely cautious. The vulnerable sections such as children, the aged, and women are cautioned to reduce their outdoor activities when the sun is at its peak time, that is, between 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
“The drinking of water and avoiding the exposure to heat become a must during this season.” Apart from this, the PMD has contacted the farmers regarding the protection of their plants and animals.
The heatwave will also put severe stress on the electrical infrastructure as a result of higher usage of air conditioning units throughout the province. For this reason, people have been urged to conserve energy and not use any unnecessary electricity.
Karachi’s Outlook
Although the interior of Sindh is witnessing a serious crisis, the coastal city of Karachi will witness comparatively milder weather. The expected temperature range within the metropolis will be between 34°C and 36°C from Monday to Tuesday, whereas a slight rise will take place up to 35°C–37°C by Wednesday.
Due to Karachi’s location at the coast of the Arabian Sea, the impact of heat can easily be mitigated because there is expected to be consistent south-westerly wind throughout the early days of the week. Nevertheless, people living in Karachi should not ignore caution, especially in terms of high humidity.
Critical Preparedness
With the onset of this period of hot weather in the province, all the health facilities have been placed on red alert to deal with any cases of heat stroke and dehydration that may arise. There is an emphasis on drinking plenty of water, wearing light and loose fitting clothes made of cotton, and trying to find shade whenever necessary.
As this situation progresses, residents are advised to keep themselves abreast of weather developments and any advice given by the province’s disaster management agency.
