NDMA Issues Heatwave Alert, Severe Heat Expected Across Pakistan Until May 31

Islamabad (Special Correspondent) – The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a detailed weather advisory warning of a severe heatwave across Pakistan from today until May 31.

According to the NDMA report, most parts of the country are expected to experience an unusual rise in temperatures, with mercury likely to reach between 40°C and 48°C in several areas. Citizens have been advised to take precautionary measures in response to the extreme weather conditions.

The report stated that, under the directives of the Prime Minister, continuous monitoring of the heatwave and its potential impacts is underway. Provincial disaster management authorities have also initiated preemptive safety measures to effectively handle any emergency situation.

Public awareness campaigns have been launched, while cooling centers are being set up in various cities. Emergency response teams have been activated, and efforts are ongoing to enhance facilities in hospitals and medical centers.

The advisory further noted that due to western weather systems, light rainfall may occur in parts of northern regions, particularly the Potohar region. However, most areas of Sindh, Balochistan, and southern Punjab are expected to remain under intense heat conditions.

NDMA also warned that rising temperatures in Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir could accelerate glacier melting, increasing the risk of landslides and flash floods.

Areas including Hunza, Nagar, Gilgit, Chilas, Astore, Shigar, Chitral, Kalam, and Kohistan have been identified as landslide-prone zones, with key road links also at risk of disruption.

According to the National Emergency Operations Centre, river and stream flows in northern areas may increase, while severe heatwave conditions are expected to persist in several districts of Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan.