An environmental expert has forecasted a heatwave for Punjab starting May 12, with temperatures expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius. On Thursday, Dr. Zulfiqar, a climate researcher, noted that Punjab could experience conditions similar to the extreme temperatures currently affecting Sindh.
Dr. Zulfiqar advised the public to limit outdoor activities and stay indoors to prevent heatstroke. He also recommended increasing indoor humidity by placing water in wide pots to mitigate the heat’s effects.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), in its May monthly outlook, reported that the neutral phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) are expected to continue. This climatic setup suggests that most countries will see near-normal rainfall levels. However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northern Balochistan, northern Punjab, and Azad Kashmir might receive slightly above-normal rainfall.
The PMD also stated that maximum temperatures will likely be slightly above normal in the northern and southern regions. In contrast, central areas, including most of Punjab and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, may see normal to slightly below maximum temperatures. Nationwide, minimum temperatures are anticipated to be warmer than normal, particularly in northern KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.
Regarding precipitation, the PMD noted that above-normal rainfall in May could benefit agriculture. However, it also warned of potential risks to the wheat harvest from hailstorms and windstorms in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Photohar region, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The department highlighted that atmospheric conditions are conducive to heatwave development, particularly in the country’s southern plains. Additionally, higher temperatures in mountainous regions could hasten snowmelt in the north, providing increased irrigation and power generation water.
