Citizens swelter as heatwave continues to grip various parts of country

Mercury reaches 43°C in Lahore with Met Office predicting prevailing heatwave to continue till May 27 in provincial capital

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Citizens swelter as heatwave continues to grip various parts of country
A volunteer showers a woman with water during a heatwave in Karachi. — AFP/File

Pakistanis have been left sweltering as the prevailing heatwave continues to grip various parts of countries with temperatures reaching up to 50°C on Sunday.

Several cities have witnessed mercury reaching well above 40°C which including Lahore where temperature soared to 43°C with humidity level recorded at 17%, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said in a statement.

The prevailing heatwave in the provincial capital is likely to continue till May 27, the PMD added.

As per the data available with the Met Office, several parts of the country continue to witness extreme heat with mercury reaching 50°C in Dadu and Moenjodaro followed by Nawabshah, Sibi and Turbat's 48°C, Bahawalpur (47°C) and Mithi (46°C).

Meanwhile, in Dera Ismail Khan, Sargodha and Nokundi mercury reached 45°C, whereas in Bannu and Jhelum it was recorded at 43°C followed by Sahiwal and Faisalabad's 42°C.

The maximum temperature recorded in the country's financial hub Karachi today is 36°C with humidity levels standing at 50%.

According to weather expert Owais Hyder the metropolis could experience its hottest week of the year from tomorrow.

"There is a possibility of an increase in heat intensity in the megalopolis next wee" said Hyder.

He said the mercury could be between 40 to 42°C from Tuesday to Thursday.

The Met Office has said that most of the plain areas of the country will remain under the influence of severe heat wave, while dusty winds/thunderstorms are likely to occur in the afternoon on Monday (tomorrow).

However, it has predicted partly cloudy weather along with the possibility of scattered showers with strong winds and thunderstorms in Gilgit-Baltistan.