Pakistan on Heatwave Alert: PMD Warns of Soaring Temperatures Across Multiple Regions June 7-12

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a heatwave warning for various parts of the country from June 7 to June 12, urging citizens to take precautions as temperatures soar across multiple provinces.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the districts of Peshawar, Mardan, Bannu, Karak, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan are expected to record maximum temperatures four to six degrees Celsius above normal, ranging between 41°C and 46°C from June 8 to 11.

Temperatures are predicted to reach 37°C-40°C in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s northern districts of Chitral, Dir and Swat, as well as in Gilgit-Baltistan, from June 8 to 10.

The Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Mirpur, Bhimber, Kotli, Bagh and Muzaffarabad regions are expected to experience maximum temperatures between 41°C and 44°C from June 8 to 10.

Punjab’s major cities including Lahore, Okara, Kasur, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Joharabad, Khushab, Mianwali, Noorpur Thal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Pakpattan, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Bhakkar, Layyah and Kot Addu will face temperatures ranging from 44°C to 48°C from June 8 to 11.

In Sindh, maximum temperatures are likely to remain four to six degrees Celsius above normal in Sukkur, Shikarpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Larkana, Mohenjo Daro, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Ghotki, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze, Sibi, Turbat and Panjgur districts, with temperatures expected to range between 48°C and 51°C from June 7 to 12.

Karachi is expected to see maximum temperatures of 40°C-43°C from June 8 to 12.

According to PMD, night temperatures are also likely to rise during the forecast period.

The department has warned of dust storms in south Punjab and Sindh due to the heat and advised the general public, especially children, women and senior citizens, to exercise caution during the heatwave.

“Farmers are advised to manage their crop activities in view of the prevailing weather conditions and take care of their livestock as well,” the advisory stated.

PMD also recommended avoiding unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight from 10am to 4pm, noting that electricity demand and consumption may increase during the forecast period.

Earlier this week, PMD forecast below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures across most parts of the country during the months of June to August.

The department’s outlook indicates that the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is currently in a neutral phase and expected to shift to a positive phase by July 2026, while the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has entered a positive phase (El Nino) and is projected to strengthen further.

In view of these conditions, PMD expects “normal to below-normal” rainfall over most parts of the country during the June-August season, with the largest negative departures anticipated over the northeastern parts of Punjab.

The Met Office’s probability outlook supports these projections, indicating a high probability of below-normal rainfall across most of Pakistan, particularly Punjab, Sindh, southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and most of Balochistan.

Average temperatures are expected to remain above normal throughout the country during the June-August season, with the greatest departures forecast over the northeastern regions, including eastern Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and adjacent areas of northern Punjab.

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