Officials in Pakistan are preparing for two types of climate-related challenges, stemming from the heatwave and the early onset of the monsoon rainy season. As part of the alert, emergency safety measures are being taken in all areas expected to be affected by the heatwave in Punjab.
Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur and Multan in Southern Punjab are still under a Heatwave Emergency, as temperatures there can reach around 50 degrees Celsius every day. Lodhran, Vehari, Khanewal, Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad and Jhang are under a “Hot Day Warning” in Central Punjab. In addition, Lahore, Gujranwala, and Sheikhupura are receiving “Hot Day Alerts” because prolonged heat can endanger public well-being and daily living.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department said that Temperatures in Mohenjo-Daro, Jacobabad, Shaheed Benazirabad in Sindh and Sibi in Balochistan reached 48 degrees Celsius in the past day. Dera Ghazi Khan, Dadu, Larkana and Turbat were next in the list at 47 degrees. Experts say the high-pressure system is behind the intense heat and the drought that now covers much of the country.
Flooding on a massive scale exacerbates the current climate challenge. According to the PMD, the period from July to September is expected to bring more rain than usual to central and southern Pakistan. Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Karachi are some of the Pakistani cities most at risk from urban flooding. According to forecasts, rainfall is expected to be considerably higher than usual in parts of Northeastern Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Precipitation in hilly and mountainous regions, such as Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, is likely to be below average; however, the risk of flash floods due to sudden storms remains.
A strong new weather system may bring thunderstorms, strong windss and isolated hail to Pakistan’s mountain regions. According to recent alerts, electricity poles, solar panels, trees, rooftops and cars may be damaged in the storm.
Unfortunately, both heat and rain have already caused deaths together. The child lost her life and five other people were injured in Bahadurgaon, Attock, according to Rescue 1122. A wall collapse in Jasian village left a girl hurt. Two people in Rawalpindi were shaken after being struck by lightning. Authorities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa said that four lives were lost and ten others were injured in weather incidents on the previous day.
Officials are warning everyone to use caution, avoid going outside when it’s busy, stay hydrated, and report any broken structures or people injured as quickly as possible. Both rural and urban drainage systems are being monitored, and both civil defence and medical teams are in place, just in case.
Because Pakistan is frequently affected by climate change, variousauthorities must jjoin forces to help people and handle risks safely.
