Temperatures Expected to Surge 4-6 Degrees Above Average from May 21-23
- Severe Heatwave Wreaks Havoc in Cholistan: Over 2,000 Water Ponds Dry Up
Temperatures Set to Surge 4 to 6 Degrees Above Normal from May 21-23
The Meteorological Department has forecast continued hot and dry weather across most parts of Pakistan. Central and southern regions are expected to experience exceptionally high temperatures, intensifying the ongoing heatwave.
In Islamabad and surrounding areas, the weather will remain hot and dry on Tuesday, with dusty winds and squalls likely to prevail after noon. These conditions reflect a broader trend affecting various regions of the country.
Rising Temperatures
In Sindh and Punjab, daytime temperatures are projected to rise 4 to 6 degrees Celsius above normal from May 21 to 23. From May 23 to 27, this increase is expected to intensify, reaching 6 to 8 degrees Celsius above normal.
Similar temperature anomalies are anticipated in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Balochistan, where daytime temperatures will be 4 to 6 degrees Celsius higher than average during this period.
Cholistan Water Crisis
The heatwave’s impact is acutely felt in Cholistan, where over 2,000 water storage ponds have dried up. This severe water scarcity has disrupted daily life, with both humans and animals facing a critical shortage of drinking water. Shepherds residing in remote areas of Cholistan have begun migrating in search of water and better living conditions.
The drying up of water sources in Cholistan has forced local herdsmen to leave their homes, highlighting the severe consequences of the ongoing heatwave. The lack of water threatens the livelihood of these communities and endangers the health and survival of their livestock.
Crisis Management
Because of the escalating heatwave, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority has issued an alert on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. According to a briefing provided in a meeting chaired by PDMA DG Irfan Ali Kathia, water bowsers are being provided in Thal and Cholistan.
Mr. Kathia noted that 4/4 water tankers, each with a capacity of up to 12,000 liters, have been dispatched to the desert areas. “The heatwave is likely to persist in Punjab till May 27,” he cautioned.
