PMD Warns Sindh Heatwave May Push Temperatures to 49C

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a fresh heatwave warning for Sindh, cautioning that temperatures in several districts could rise as high as 49°C in the coming days. The alert was issued on Wednesday as parts of the province continued to face severe summer conditions and public health concerns grew over prolonged exposure to extreme heat.

According to the forecast, the most intense phase of the heatwave is expected to affect central and upper Sindh from May 7 to May 11. Districts likely to face the harshest conditions include Shaheed Benazirabad, Ghotki, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze, Jacobabad, Larkana and Sukkur, where daytime temperatures may remain between 47°C and 49°C.

The warning comes as Sindh has already been experiencing unusually high temperatures, with Karachi recently recording its hottest day in years. The Met Office said the latest spell is part of a wider pattern of hot and dry weather across Pakistan’s plain areas, with central and southern regions likely to remain well above normal during the forecast period.

PMD officials advised citizens, especially children, women and elderly people, to take precautionary measures during the heatwave. The department urged the public to avoid unnecessary outdoor movement during peak daytime hours, increase water intake and reduce direct exposure to sunlight as much as possible.

The weekly outlook from the weather department also warned that the broader heatwave could persist from May 6 to May 12 across multiple areas of the country. Southern Punjab, Sindh and parts of Balochistan are expected to be among the worst affected, while some locations may see temperatures rise 2°C to 6°C above the seasonal average.

Karachi’s recent heat conditions have already raised alarm among emergency and welfare services. Earlier this week, the city’s Old Airport Weather Station recorded 44.1°C, the highest temperature reported in Karachi since 2018, when the metropolis faced one of its most intense summer spells.

The extreme weather has also added to concern after several bodies were recovered from different parts of Karachi during the recent heat episode. Welfare officials said some people were found in critical condition and later died during treatment, while others were recovered from homes, mosques and other locations.

Heatwaves in Pakistan have become a recurring public safety issue, especially in densely populated urban centres and interior Sindh districts where electricity outages, water shortages and limited access to cooling facilities can increase health risks. Labourers, street vendors, commuters and elderly residents are particularly vulnerable when temperatures remain dangerously high for several consecutive days.

The latest warning carries wider implications for health services, civic authorities and local administrations. Hospitals and rescue organisations may face additional pressure if cases of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke rise, while schools, workplaces and transport systems may need to adjust routines to reduce exposure during peak heat hours.

The coming days will test how effectively provincial and district authorities respond to the renewed alert. With no immediate relief forecast for several affected areas, residents have been urged to remain cautious, monitor official weather updates and follow preventive steps until the heatwave begins to ease.