ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is bracing for increasingly severe and prolonged summers as climate change continues to reshape weather patterns across the country, according to the Meteorological Department.
Currently, large parts of Pakistan are already enduring an intense heatwave, with daytime temperatures soaring several degrees above seasonal averages. The situation is expected to worsen, with forecasts predicting temperatures five to seven degrees higher than normal, particularly in the upper and central regions.
Meteorological Department Deputy Director Irfan Virk told reporters that Pakistan has experienced a noticeable shift in its seasonal cycles over recent years. “Spring has shortened considerably while summer arrives earlier than before. Urbanization, tree felling, and environmental degradation have accelerated these changes,” he explained.
Though some relief is expected in the coming days with rain forecasted for northern areas, Virk cautioned this respite will be brief as temperatures are set to climb again soon after.
In Lahore, temperatures reached 29°C on Saturday morning, with a predicted peak of 42°C in the afternoon. A light breeze of 8 km/h and 48% humidity added to the discomfort. The Met Office warned that Punjab, including Lahore, could face extremely high temperatures from May 15 to May 20.
Karachi is also experiencing hot and humid conditions, with morning temperatures around 30°C, breezes from the southwest at 10-15 km/h, and humidity levels between 70 and 80 percent.
Other cities in Sindh such as Shikarpur, Lakhi Ghulam Shah, Khanpur, and Garhi Yasin saw residents flocking to refreshment stalls to beat the heat.
Islamabad’s daytime temperature hovered around 40°C on Saturday, with the Met Office forecasting persistent heat in the capital and surrounding areas through May 19.
In Balochistan, southern parts of the province are also grappling with above-average temperatures, contributing to the widespread pattern of extreme heat.
As Pakistan confronts the realities of climate change, authorities and citizens alike face the urgent challenge of adapting to more intense and longer-lasting heatwaves.
