The port city of Karachi has been gripped by an intense heatwave, with sea breezes completely suspended and temperatures soaring beyond 40°C, prompting the Meteorological Department to issue a heatstroke advisory.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), hot and dry conditions have enveloped the metropolis, with humidity levels climbing to 61 per cent on Wednesday. The absence of sea breeze has further exacerbated the sweltering conditions, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses, including heatstroke.
The department has advised residents to take special precautions, avoid direct exposure to the sun, and stay hydrated, particularly between 11am and 4pm — the peak hours for heat intensity.
“Karachi is currently experiencing suspended sea breezes, while strong hot and dry winds from the southeast are expected to blow throughout the day at speeds ranging from 25 to 35 kilometres per hour,” a Met official said, adding that partial recovery of sea breeze is likely in the evening hours.
The PMD has ruled out any possibility of rain in Karachi for the day, predicting clear skies and persistent hot weather in the coming days.
Heatwave grips Sindh: 674 suffer heatstroke, 60 cattle dead in 45 days
Various districts of Sindh are currently gripped by intense heat, with soaring temperatures taking a toll on both human lives and livestock. The relentless weather conditions have raised serious health concerns across the province.
According to data released by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh, a total of 674 people have been affected by heatstroke from April 14 to May 28. Among the affected are 393 men, 272 women, and 6 children.
The district of Shaheed Benazirabad has reported the highest number of cases, with 537 individuals suffering from heatstroke. Other districts have reported fewer cases, including 11 in Tando Allahyar, 8 in Matiari, 3 in Hyderabad, 1 in Khairpur, and 1 in Karachi.
In addition to human casualties, the extreme heat has also led to the death of 60 cattle over the past one and a half months, highlighting the widespread impact of the heatwave on both people and animals.
Hot, dry weather prevails across the country
Elsewhere in the country, similar weather patterns have been reported, with most regions of Sindh and Balochistan enduring extremely hot and dry conditions. The Met Office said that heatwave conditions may persist in southern parts of the country, particularly in the plains.
In Punjab, searing temperatures dominated the day, although scattered showers are expected in several areas during the evening or night. Rainfall is forecast in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Gujarat, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Lahore, Okara, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Bahawalnagar, and Bahawalpur.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, weather remained hot in most districts, while rain is likely in parts of Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Chitral and Dir.
The federal capital is also expected to remain dry and hot during the daytime, though chances of rain and wind, along with hail at isolated locations, have been forecast for the evening or night hours.
Meanwhile, rainfall accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms is expected in parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, providing some relief from the otherwise prevailing heat across much of the country.
