The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast a severe heatwave across southern and central parts of Pakistan, warning that temperatures in several districts of Sindh and Balochistan could rise between 46 and 50 degrees Celsius from Thursday.
In an advisory issued by the Met Office, the ongoing heatwave is expected to persist from May 7 to 11 in various parts of the country.
According to the forecast, temperatures in Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Ghotki, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze, Jacobabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Sibi, Turbat and Panjgur may range between 46C and 50C during the period.
The Met Office also predicted temperatures between 43C and 47C in southern Punjab districts, including Multan, Khanewal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Pakpattan and Sahiwal, as well as in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts of Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan.
Meanwhile, temperatures in Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Narowal and Kasur could reach up to 43C.
In Karachi, maximum temperatures are expected to remain between 35C and 38C.
The Met Office said hot and dry weather conditions were likely to prevail in most parts of the country, with extremely high temperatures expected in several areas of Sindh and Balochistan.
Doctors have advised citizens to avoid unnecessary exposure to sunlight, particularly during peak daytime hours, and to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
The ongoing heatwave has reportedly claimed 14 lives in Karachi, including eight deaths reported on Monday.
