From May 12, a heatwave is predicted in Punjab

According to an environmental expert, Punjab is set to experience a heatwave starting on May 12 with temperatures forecast to soar over 40 degrees.

Dr. Zulfiqar, a climatologist and environmental specialist, stated that Punjab is projected to experience a heatwave starting in the second week of the current month, similar to Sindh, which is now experiencing intense heatwaves.

To prevent heatstroke, the specialist urged individuals to stay home and refrain from going outside needlessly.

He also recommended putting water in large pots to regulate humidity in rooms.

In the meanwhile, the current positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and the neutral phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are predicted to continue throughout the forecast month, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) monthly outlook for May.

The PMD said that given the country’s climate, most regions should have near-normal rainfall; however, some areas, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northern Balochistan, northern Punjab, and Azad Kashmir, may see slightly above-average rainfall.

It stated that while daytime maximum temperatures are predicted to stay slightly above average in the northern and southern regions of the nation, normal to slightly below normal maximum temperatures are possible in the central regions, which include most of Punjab and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Nationwide, concurrently higher-than-average minimum temperatures are predicted, with the greatest deviation occurring across northern KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.

The weather service predicts that Pakistan’s agriculture will benefit from above-average precipitation in May, but in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Photohar region, and Gilgit-Baltistan, care should be taken to protect standing wheat crops from windstorms and hailstorms during the harvesting stage.

According to the PMD, there is a good chance of a heatwave developing due to the atmospheric conditions, particularly across the southern plains.

The study stated that increased temperatures in high-altitude locations are anticipated to hasten the melting of snow in the northern regions, presenting prospects for irrigation and electricity production.