Met office informed that due to the presence of high pressure in the upper atmosphere, heatwave conditions are likely to develop over most parts of the country, especially over Punjab and Sindh from 21st May and likely to convert to severe heatwave conditions from 23rd to 27th May.

Day temperatures are likely to remain 04 to 06°C above normal in Sindh and Punjab from 21st to 23rd and from 06 to 08°C from 23rd to 27th May. Day temperatures are likely to remain 04 to 06°C above normal in Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan from 21st to 27th May.

Met office further informed that a shallow westerly wave is likely to affect upper parts of the country on 16th May(evening/night). Under the influence of this weather system:

• Balochistan: Duststorm/thunderstorm with isolated rain is expected Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Sherani, Barkhan, Kalat, Khuzdar, Qila Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Kharan and Mastung from 16th (evening) to 19th May..
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:Duststorm/thunderstorm with isolated rain is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Malakand, Waziristan, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Karak, Khyber, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan and Kurram from 16th (evening) to 19th May.
• Gilgit-Baltistan/Kashmir: Rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from 16th (evening) to 19th May.
• Punjab/Islamabad: Duststorm/thunderstorm with isolated rain is expected in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Khushab, Sargodha and Mianwali from 16th (evening) to 18th May.
• Sindh: Duststorm/thunderstorm with isolated rain is expected in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana, Dadu on 17th and 18th May.

Possible Impacts and advises:

• The farmers are advised to manage the crops accordingly.
• General public is advised to avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight.
• Judicious use of water is requested from all aspects of life.
• Extreme dry/heatwave conditions may trigger bush fires/forest fires in the vulnerable areas of Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Northeast Balochistan.

Note: All concerned authorities are advised to remain “ALERT” and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation during the heatwave spell.
For latest updates on daily basis please visit https://www.pmd.gov.pk