In Lahore, two people died and six were injured in separate incidents involving falling trees, sheds and billboards during strong winds and rain.

Fifty-year-old Ijaz died after a tree fell near the Badami Bagh lorry depot, while another person was injured in the same incident.

In a separate case near Rang Mahal, 21-year-old Bilal was killed when a shed collapsed.

In Faisalabad, one child was killed, and nine people were injured in seven different incidents of walls, roofs and trees collapsing.

The 13-year-old victim was identified as Haider Ali, who died when a wall fell in Sultan Chowk.

In DG Khan, three people were injured in two lightning incidents.

In Muzaffargarh, four people were injured in four separate incidents involving collapsing trees, solar panels and walls.

Accidents were also reported in Jhang and Nankana Sahib, where several people were injured.

Rescue officials said the seriously injured were shifted to nearby hospitals after receiving immediate medical assistance.

The quake struck near the Mosha Fault, one of Iran’s most active seismic zones, according to Iranian media and the country’s seismological centre.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.21 miles), the centre said.

Residents in several areas rushed out of homes and buildings following the tremors, though authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB said the quake struck the border area between Tehran and Mazandaran.

Iranian media reported that several earthquakes were felt in eastern parts of Tehran province during the night, with experts describing the sequence of tremors as unusual for the region.

Seismologist Yat Mehdi Zare said it remained unclear whether the activity reflected a release of underground energy that could reduce future risks or a warning sign of stronger seismic movement near Tehran.

He warned that Tehran’s dense population, urban sprawl, weak infrastructure and heavy traffic could worsen the impact of even moderate earthquakes and complicate emergency response efforts.

Tehran, home to more than 14 million people, lies close to several major fault systems, including the North Tehran, Mosha and Ray faults.

Iran is among the world’s most earthquake-prone countries and still carries memories of the devastating 2003 Bam earthquake, which killed more than 30,000 people.

The prime minister also instructed authorities to further strengthen the early warning system and ensure continuous monitoring of high-risk areas vulnerable to natural disasters.

Dr Musadik Malik, who called on the prime minister, briefed him on the ministry’s preparedness for the forthcoming monsoon season.

During the meeting, the minister also apprised the prime minister of the progress and performance of the early warning systems installed in mountainous regions to monitor Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) and flash floods.

According to the PDMA, heavy rains and strong winds are likely in several districts, increasing the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), flash floods and landslides, particularly in upper regions including Chitral, Swat, Dir, Kohistan and Mansehra.

The authority has directed district administrations to continuously monitor sensitive glacial sites and ensure that early warning systems remain active.

Residents and tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary movement near rivers, streams and mountainous areas during the forecast period.

The PDMA also instructed people living in low-lying areas to remain alert and immediately move to safer locations in case of rising water levels or unusual sounds of mud and falling rocks.

Rescuers found the bodies around the crater rim, and evacuation was underway, agency head Iwan Ramdani told Reuters.

“Evacuation of the ​bodies is still hampered by eruptions that continue to occur and ​bad weather,” Iwan said, adding rain was falling in ⁠the area.

Some 150 personnel with two thermal drones have been deployed ​since Sunday morning, Iwan said, with the focus of the search around ​100-150 metres of the crater rim.

Mount Dukono in North Maluku province, bordering the Pacific Ocean, began erupting on Friday, spewing ash as high as 10km. It has continued to erupt at a lower scale.

The area ​around the crater was still blanketed in volcanic ash, Iwan said, adding that the ‌search ⁠area is about 1.25 km from the last known location of the victims.

Rescuers had found backpacks suspected to belong to the two Singaporeans, and the authorities on Saturday confirmed that one Indonesian hiker, who ​had gone missing, ​was dead.

Seventeen people, ⁠including seven Singaporeans and 10 Indonesians, survived the incident.

The seven surviving Singaporeans will fly home on Sunday, ​Singapore’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It was ​unclear when ⁠the bodies of the two who died would be returned.

Indonesia’s volcanology agency reported at least four eruptions as of Sunday, with one sending ash ⁠1.3 ​km high.

The agency is maintaining the ​third-highest alert level for Mount Dukono and bans any activities within 4km of ​the crater.

Environmental experts say dozens of turtles have been found dead this year in different coastal areas of Gwadar and Pasni, triggering alarm among marine life and conservation circles.

According to experts, the repeated deaths of turtles along the coastal belt of Gwadar district are becoming a serious environmental issue, with dead turtles being discovered almost every month at various shoreline locations.

Marine experts warn that turtles play a vital role in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem.

The Makran coastal region was once considered a safe habitat and major breeding ground for turtles, but conservationists say the increasing number of deaths in recent years has become a matter of grave concern.

Experts have urged national and international organisations to launch immediate investigations to determine the exact causes behind the deaths.

The city of Nokundi in Balochistan remained the hottest place in the country, where the temperature was recorded at 45 degrees Celsius, while Sukkur, Jacobabad and Dalbandin recorded maximum temperatures of 44 degrees Celsius.

Karachi recorded a temperature of 35 degrees Celsius, while Lahore and Quetta recorded maximum temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius. Islamabad recorded a maximum of 33 degrees Celsius, and Peshawar recorded 37 degrees Celsius.

According to the Meteorological Department, the current heat wave may continue for a few more days.

The department said weather conditions were likely to remain hot and dry in most parts of the country on Saturday, while intense heat was expected in South Punjab, Upper Sindh, and eastern and southern parts of Balochistan.

With rising temperatures in Lahore, the duration of electricity outages has increased further, with up to six hours of load shedding reported in different areas, severely affecting routine life.

In Balochistan, hot and dry weather is expected in most districts, including Quetta.

The maximum temperature recorded was 32°C in Quetta and 44°C in Turbat. Unannounced load shedding continues in the region, adding to public difficulties.

The plains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, are also experiencing heatwave conditions, with temperatures expected to rise further.

Power outages persist in both urban and rural areas.

In Karachi, temperatures are expected to remain between 37°C and 39°C today, with some reports suggesting it could reach up to 49°C.

Despite the severe heat, several areas are facing 12 to 14 hours of load shedding. Water supply has also been disrupted due to the electricity shortage.

The city recorded its hottest day of the year, with the Meteorological Department warning that the intensity of the heat could rise further due to the cessation of sea breezes and hot winds blowing from Balochistan.

According to rescue and intelligence sources, nine bodies were recovered from various parts of the city, including Clifton, Liaquatabad, Super Highway and Baldia. The victims are suspected to have died from heatstroke.

Separately, a worshipper died while offering prayers at the Osmania Mosque in North Karachi, with the cause of death also believed to be heatstroke.

The extreme heat and humidity disrupted normal life, with lighter-than-usual traffic on roads as residents tried to avoid exposure to the scorching sun. Many were seen covering their heads to protect themselves from the heat.

Medical experts advised citizens to avoid unnecessary outdoor movement, particularly during the afternoon, and to increase water intake. They warned that the “feels-like” temperature could reach as high as 50 degrees Celsius.

Rescue officials said the process of identifying several bodies was ongoing and that the deceased had been shifted to cold storage facilities after initial procedures.

Authorities said the heatwave has created a situation of extreme discomfort across the city, raising concerns about further casualties if conditions persist.

Citizens have been advised to take precautionary measures due to the possibility of strong winds, landslides and flooding.

According to the NDMA, rain and hail are expected in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Rain with strong winds and thunderstorms has been forecast in multiple districts of Punjab, including Islamabad, Murree, Lahore, and Sialkot.

Thunderstorms are also expected in several areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, most districts, including Chitral, Swat, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan, may experience hail with strong winds and rain.

The NDMA has also warned of a risk of flash floods and landslides due to rising temperatures and glacier melt.

Strong winds and hail may damage fragile structures, solar panels and vehicles, while travel in mountainous areas could be affected.

Citizens have been instructed to avoid unnecessary travel and follow weather advisories.

if relevant information is added, no additional verified external facts have been introduced; this is a straight rephrasing of the provided advisory.

According to the PDMA, a new spell of westerly winds is expected to enter the region from May 3, bringing rain and windstorms.

Heavy rainfall is forecast in Chitral, Dir, Swat and Kohistan, raising the risk of flash floods due to sudden temperature rise, precipitation, and potential glacial lake bursts.

The authority has directed district administrations to take emergency measures, ensure preparedness, and enhance monitoring in vulnerable areas.

Relevant institutions have been instructed to keep early warning systems operational and ensure the availability of machinery and rescue personnel.

The PDMA also warned of possible surges in rivers and streams, with a risk of vehicles being swept away by fast-flowing water.

Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from high-risk areas.

According to the Meteorological Department, temperatures in some southern areas may reach 44 to 45°C by the end of the week.

Karachi is likely to see increased heat intensity in the next 24 hours, with maximum temperatures between 36 and 38°C.

Humidity levels around 66% are expected to make conditions feel more severe.

Sindh districts, including Hyderabad, Jacobabad, Dadu and Jamshoro, may experience temperatures exceeding 44°C.

A heatwave-like situation is also expected in central and southern Punjab, while northern and upper parts of the country may receive temporary relief through dusty winds and occasional rain.

Meteorologists say the rise in temperatures in early May is linked to climatic changes, with no major chances of rain in the near future.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has placed the administration on high alert and directed the immediate establishment of heatwave relief camps in affected areas.

He also ordered special arrangements for patients in hospitals.

He advised people in Jamshoro, Dadu, Ghotki and Sanghar to take precautionary measures, including avoiding unnecessary exposure to heat.

He urged citizens to cover their heads, drink more water, stay in shaded areas and avoid working under direct sunlight.

Workers were told to continue their duties but prioritise their health.

Medical experts have advised avoiding direct sunlight, especially between 11am and 4pm, while urging extra care for the elderly, children and outdoor workers to prevent heatstroke.

Karachi is currently experiencing western winds at a speed of 11 kmph, providing slight relief during mornings and evenings, but daytime heat is expected to remain intense.

The plan, presented at a global climate conference, does not unveil any new pledges but brings existing climate and energy policies and targets under one umbrella with an explicit goal.

Analysts say no other country has published such a clear and comprehensive plan.

Here are details of the 14-page roadmap that Europe’s second biggest economy presented Tuesday at the first-ever talks on how to transition away from fossil fuels in Santa Marta, Colombia:

Fossil fuel consumption

Fossil fuels accounted for less than 60 per cent of France’s final energy consumption in 2023, compared to 65 per cent in 2011.

Final consumption refers to energy consumed by end-users such as households, industry and agriculture, excluding energy used in power generation and distribution.

The French roadmap sets a goal of reducing the share of fossil fuels in final energy consumption to 40 per cent by 2030 and 30 per cent in 2035.

The aim is to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

Phaseout dates

The country plans to close its last two coal-fired power plants by 2027.

It seeks to transition away from oil by 2045 through a “large-scale electrification” of transport.

France set a 2050 target date to ditch fossil gas by developing alternative heating methods, including heat pumps, or improving energy efficiency in buildings.

Transport

France wants two out of three new cars to be electric by 2030.

The plan also calls for deploying charging stations and rolling out electric buses and large trucks.

French manufacturers are expected to produce 400,000 electric vehicles by 2027 and one million by 2030.

The aim is to ensure that “reduced dependence on oil does not translate into new dependence on imported vehicles”, the document says.

Buildings

France is banning the installation of gas boilers in new buildings by the end of this year.

It aims to install one million heat pumps a year by 2030.

The government wants to reduce oil-fired boilers in residential buildings by 60 percent and in non-residential buildings by 85 per cent by 2030.

The goal is to phase out fossil oil for heating by 2035.

Electricity

Two-thirds of France’s electricity came from nuclear plants in 2025 while solar, wind and hydropower accounted for around a quarter last year, according to data from electricity system operator RTE.

France plans to build next-generation EPR2 nuclear reactors and extend the lifespan of its existing fleet of reactors.

It also wants to add 1.3 gigawatts of onshore wind power each year and increase installed solar capacity threefold by 2035.

Reactions

NGOs welcomed France’s announcement but also pushed the country to go further.

“After two years of backsliding in its public policies on the ecological transition, and with emissions falling at a rate three times slower than its own targets since 2024, France has the merit of setting dates to phase out fossil fuels,” Anne Bringault, programmes director at the Climate Action Network, told AFP.

Lorelei Limousin, climate and fossil energy campaigner at Greenpeace France, said: “This is a first step, but it remains largely insufficient given the climate emergency.”

Deputy Director Anjum Nazir Zaigham said the city weather will remain hot as usual today and tomorrow, with a noticeable increase in temperatures expected between Friday and Monday.

He said temperatures could reach between 39°C and 40°C on Sunday and Monday before returning to normal levels from Tuesday.

Zaigham clarified that the current heat in Karachi is not linked to El Niño.

However, he noted that a possible El Niño developing in May could impact the monsoon system across the country.

He also confirmed that there is no chance of rainfall in Karachi in the coming days.

Ministers and climate envoys aim to revive the transition from fossil fuels at the inaugural conference in Santa Marta against a backdrop of crippling global energy shortages and soaring fuel prices.

“Let’s make this a turning point in history,” Colombia’s Environment Minister Irene Velez Torres said as she opened the two-day talks.

The conference bypasses the United Nations climate talks and reflects a growing impatience with its failure to tackle fossil fuels, the main driver of global warming.

But ministers said the volatility driven by the Middle East conflict also underscored the energy security imperative of shifting to renewables.

“We in Europe… are losing half a billion euros each day this war continues,” the bloc’s climate envoy Wopke Hoekstra told delegates in the coastal city.

“We already had a very good reason to move on (from fossil fuels) for climate action… We now also have it for commercial reasons, and reasons of independence.”

The conference was announced late last year, but organisers say the Middle East war — which has seen Gulf exports plummet — had bolstered the case for a fossil fuel phaseout.

Some governments are, however, weighing short-term increases to fossil fuel production to plug supply gaps, illustrating the tensions between climate ambition and energy security.

On the list of attendees are major fossil fuel producers Canada, Norway and Australia, and developing oil giants Nigeria, Angola and Brazil.

They join coal-reliant emerging markets, Turkey and Vietnam, and small island nations extremely vulnerable to climate shocks, among others.

But the world’s biggest emitters of greenhouse gases — including the United States, China and India — are not attending, nor are oil-rich Gulf states.

‘Good faith’

The conference is not expected to produce binding commitments but a scientific panel has asked governments taking part to consider a halt on new fossil fuel expansion, among other proposals.

Many nations “are here in good faith to really work through what is a very complex challenge made more urgent by the crisis,” the UK’s special climate envoy Rachel Kyte told AFP in Santa Marta on Monday.

“People seem refreshed to be able to talk about these issues without having to sort of argue the existential question of – do we need to do this at all?” she said.

As government delegates arrived Monday, activists protested against fossil fuels on the streets and beaches of the Caribbean city, one of the country’s busiest coal hubs.

Colombia, which is co-hosting the conference with the Netherlands, is highly reliant on revenue from coal and oil exports, as are other developing fossil fuel producers attending the conference.

Among other agenda items, nations will consider how to equitably reduce fossil fuel production and consumption, and reforming subsidies that throw up barriers to renewable energy investment.

Analysis by the International Institute for Sustainable Development on Monday showed that governments still spent five times more public money on fossil fuels than renewable alternatives.

‘Fossil fuel ban’

On Sunday, a scientific panel released a 12-point “menu” of policy options that included “halting all new and expanding fossil fuel extraction and infrastructure projects.”

“Without a doubt, there is no justification whatsoever for any new exploration of fossil fuels,” the Brazilian scientist Carlos Nobre, a former member of the UN’s climate advisory panel, told AFP.

Even as record investments flow into renewable energy, scientists warn the pace is still too slow to keep global temperature rises to safer levels.

“Even if we carried out no new exploration, the amount of fossil fuels — oil, coal, and natural gas — that already exists will push temperatures up to two and a half degrees by 2050,” Nobre said.

The world has already warmed about 1.4°C above pre-industrial times and is tracking to blow past 1.5°C in a matter of years.

Above that threshold, scientists warn that coral reefs and Greenland ice sheets could disappear, among other catastrophic and irreversible impacts.

According to the forecast, temperatures in Karachi are expected to rise by 4 to 6 degrees Celsius above normal levels.

The maximum temperature is likely to reach 37°C, while the heat index may make it feel as high as 40 to 41°C.

At present, the city’s temperature stands at around 33°C, but the humidity is making it feel closer to 37°C.

Westerly winds are blowing at about 11 kilometres per hour.

Officials say higher-than-normal temperatures are expected nationwide, with particularly severe conditions in urban centres, including Karachi.

Inside a quiet, high-ceilinged library lined with steel shelves, bookkeeper Muhammad Gholam el-Habot carefully handles fragile Arabic manuscripts, wearing white gloves as he inspects and reboxes them for preservation.

The 50-year-old librarian oversees around 1,400 manuscripts inherited from his father, continuing a family duty passed down for generations.

The manuscripts are part of a broader historical legacy in Chinguetti, once a major centre of Islamic learning between the 13th and 17th centuries.

The town, historically known as part of “Bilad Shinqit,” was a key stop on trans-Saharan trade routes linking Africa’s Sahel and Maghreb regions, attracting scholars, traders, and pilgrims.

At its peak, Chinguetti housed thousands of manuscripts across dozens of private libraries covering Islamic jurisprudence, mathematics, medicine, poetry, and astronomy.

The town was widely known in Islamic tradition as the “seventh holiest city” and later referred to as the “Sorbonne of the Sahara.”

Today, only a handful of these family libraries remain active, as most residents have moved to urban centres such as Nouakchott in search of education and employment.

El-Habot said continuing the preservation work is a family obligation tied to his ancestors’ wishes that the library remain open and maintained by a religiously committed descendant.

However, the survival of these collections is increasingly uncertain.

Mauritania, which is around 90% Sahara Desert, has experienced worsening desertification and a 35% decline in rainfall since 1970, according to researchers.

Climate change has intensified sandstorms, extreme temperatures, and unpredictable weather patterns, all of which threaten fragile paper manuscripts and mudbrick library structures.

Experts say rising heat, humidity fluctuations, and flash flooding are accelerating the deterioration of irreplaceable texts. Many buildings are not equipped to withstand sudden rains or prolonged heat exceeding 40°C.

Efforts to preserve the manuscripts include digitisation, chemical treatments against insects, and improved storage, but funding remains limited.

Some libraries have received support, including a 2024 UNESCO-backed restoration initiative that provided equipment such as air-conditioning units and digital tools to selected sites.

Despite these efforts, many collections remain vulnerable, and tourism—once a key source of income for preservation—has yet to fully recover after past security incidents and the COVID-19 pandemic.

El-Habot continues to work daily inside the library, carefully maintaining manuscripts that document centuries of Islamic scholarship and scientific thought. For him, the mission is both personal and cultural.

“I have to protect this heritage,” he said. “For my family, and for all of humanity.”

Climate experts say conditions in the Pacific Ocean are gradually shifting toward El Niño by mid-2026. If it intensifies into a “super El Niño,” the event could rank among the strongest in over a century, amplifying heatwaves and altering rainfall patterns worldwide.

According to a report by The Guardian, parts of South Asia — including Pakistan and India — are already experiencing unusually early and intense heat. Temperatures have risen sharply across several cities, with nights remaining warmer than average, offering little relief.

Meteorologists warn that heat is likely to remain above normal levels through June, with further escalation possible if El Niño strengthens. The phenomenon, which occurs every two to seven years, is driven by warming sea surface temperatures in the Pacific and shifts in atmospheric circulation.

Its impacts are global. Some regions face heavier rainfall and flooding, while others endure drought and extreme heat.

In the event of a super El Niño, experts caution that heatwaves could become longer and more intense, particularly at night — a factor that significantly increases health risks. At the same time, monsoon rains may weaken, raising concerns about drought, agricultural losses and water shortages.

Early data already indicate rainfall deficits of up to 60% in some areas this year, heightening pressure on water resources and power systems.

While scientists note some uncertainty in current projections, forecasts are expected to become clearer in the coming months. However, there is broad agreement that a super El Niño would not be confined to one region, but would have far-reaching consequences for global weather, economies and human livelihoods.

Located in China’s Chongqing Municipality, the feature has been known to local communities for centuries, a report by BBC Wildlife says.

‘Xiaozhai’ refers to a long-abandoned village nearby, while ‘Tiankeng’ translates as ‘Heavenly Pit’, the regional term used for sinkholes, the report said.

Measuring about 626 metres deep and 527 metres wide, the giant depression is so large it could dwarf familiar landmarks — it is roughly twice the height of the Eiffel Tower and significantly wider than London’s O2 Arena.

The scale of the depression is so vast that it could hold tens of thousands of Olympic-sized swimming pools, the report said.

Xiaozhai Tiankeng is believed to have formed gradually over tens of thousands of years, influenced by a combination of processes both above and below the ground.

Its distinctive two-layer structure — a wide upper basin that narrows into a smaller chamber beneath — suggests the ground likely collapsed in phases rather than at once.

Over the thousands of years that followed, the sinkhole has evolved into a self-contained natural environment.

Despite limited sunlight reaching its base, a humid, subtropical microclimate has formed, supporting a surprisingly wide variety of life, the report added.

According to the report, rare animals such as the clouded leopard have been observed here, as well as more than 1,200 plant species, including ancient ginkgo trees, ferns and mosses.

The report said that plants growing in these conditions have adapted in remarkable ways to cope with low light levels.

Compared with plants above the ground, they have lower carbon content but higher levels of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

All of these features make Xiaozhai Tiankeng not just a geological marvel, but also a unique ecological haven — one of the most unusual and biologically rich natural environments on the planet.

The tremors were reported in Peshawar, Swat, Malakand, Buner, Dir, Swabi, Nowshera, Abbottabad and Mansehra.

According to the information provided, the earthquake had a magnitude of 5.7 on the Richter scale.

The epicentre was located in Tajikistan, at a depth of 170 kilometres.

No further details about damage or casualties were provided in the input.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology, temperatures are expected to climb on Monday and again on Wednesday.

The mercury could reach up to 41°C in inland areas, with humidity rising to as high as 70 per cent.

Coastal cities, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, are also likely to see temperatures exceeding 40°C this week.

The weather authority issued a 12-hour yellow alert on Sunday, warning of strong north-westerly winds reaching up to 40 km/h, along with rough sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf and waves up to 1.8 metres.

Recent days have already seen high temperatures, with 43.3°C recorded in Al Quaa, Al Ain, on Saturday, and 42.5°C in Sweihan a day earlier.

For Monday, the forecast indicates further temperature increases, with strong winds expected to stir dust in some areas. Another rise in temperatures is predicted for Wednesday.

The latest conditions follow a period of unsettled weather last month, which brought heavy rain, thunderstorms and flooding in parts of the country.

The area consumed by the fires reached 1,373 hectares (3,393 ​acres) as of early Sunday morning, up 7% from ​a day earlier.

The fires threaten residential districts of Otsuchi ⁠on the Pacific Coast - a town that lost nearly a ​tenth of its population in one of Japan’s worst disasters, the ​March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Evacuation orders are in place for 1,541 households or 3,233 residents, roughly a third of Otsuchi’s population.

“Although the Self-Defence Forces are ​fighting the fires from the sky (with helicopters), the dry weather ​and winds are helping the fires expand,” Otsuchi Mayor Kozo Hirano told ‌a ⁠press conference.

One Otsuchi resident said he worried about the damage the wildfire could inflict.

“A fire burns everything down. With a tsunami, you might have something left after the destruction,” Yoshinori Komatsu, 74, said ​as he watched ​Self-Defence Force ⁠helicopters dump water over fires in the distance.

The only casualty to date has been one minor ​injury suffered when a person fell at an ​evacuation centre, ⁠Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency said on its website.

No rain is expected in the region on Sunday or Monday, but a ⁠brief ​shower is forecast on Tuesday, according ​to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The cause of the fires is unclear and under investigation.

The agency said climate models now strongly indicate the return of El Niño during the May to July period, following a phase of neutral conditions earlier this year.

It warned the event could intensify in the months ahead and may reach strong levels.

El Niño is part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a natural climate cycle in the Pacific Ocean that shifts between warmer (El Niño) and cooler (La Niña) phases every two to seven years.

The phenomenon raises sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, disrupting trade winds and influencing global weather patterns.

Meteorologists say El Niño events can significantly affect rainfall and temperature worldwide, often linked to droughts, floods, heatwaves and disruptions in agriculture.

The most recent El Niño, which lasted from May 2023 to March 2024, contributed to 2024 being recorded as the hottest year on record.

The latest update predicts a “rapid warming trend” between May and July, with higher-than-normal temperatures likely across regions including southern North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and northern Africa.

However, rainfall impacts remain uncertain in some areas, including parts of North America, due to mixed signals in current forecasts.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has also projected a rising likelihood of El Niño developing in the coming months, with estimates ranging above 60 per cent through mid-year and a smaller chance of a stronger event later in the year.

A revised outlook from the World Meteorological Organisation is expected in late May.

The Met Office said rain with strong winds is likely in Zhob, Ziarat, Chaghi, Nushki, Khuzdar, Chaman, Sherani, Qila Abdullah and Qila Saifullah, along with surrounding areas.

It added that dry conditions will continue in most parts of Quetta during the day.

Meanwhile, recorded temperatures showed Quetta at 29°C, Kalat at 2°C, Ziarat at 27°C, Zhob at 30°C, Sibi at 41°C, Turbat at 43°C, Nokundi at 41°C, Chaman at 32°C, Gwadar at 38°C and Jiwani at 35°C.

Rain is expected in most districts from April 16 to April 19, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang and Gujranwala.

Showers have also been forecast for Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Sargodha, Mianwali, Sheikhupura, Gujrat, Khushab and Mandi Bahauddin, while Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Jhang, Chiniot, Bhakkar, Layyah, Rajanpur, Noorpur Thal and Dera Ghazi Khan are also likely to receive rain.

The PDMA said all commissioners and deputy commissioners had been alerted on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

Citizens have been advised to remain in safe places and avoid open areas during lightning.

Farmers have been urged to take precautionary measures in view of the weather conditions, while tourists have been advised to exercise caution when travelling to northern areas.

According to a report in the Guardian, the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu, widely seen as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, will host a dedicated leaders’ event as part of the lead-up to the climate summit.

The meeting will be held alongside a broader pre-COP gathering in Fiji scheduled for October.

Turkey’s climate minister, Murat Kurum, who will preside over the COP31 summit, announced the plans in a letter to international partners.

The main conference is set to take place in Antalya, Turkey, on November 11-12 under a joint arrangement between Ankara and Canberra.

Kurum expressed strong confidence in Australia’s Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Chris Bowen, who will play a central role in overseeing negotiations.

He said both sides were committed to working closely to advance climate action, strengthen resilience, and accelerate the global shift toward clean energy.

Efforts to prepare for the summit are taking place against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions and energy market disruptions, particularly linked to the Middle East.

Speaking during a visit to Canberra, Germany’s State Secretary for Environment and Climate Action, Jochen Flasbarth, warned that global conflicts should not divert attention from the urgency of tackling climate change.

He emphasised the need to speed up electrification across key sectors, including transport, industry, and households, describing it as critical to reducing emissions.

Flasbarth suggested that the ongoing Middle East conflict, where shipping through the crucial Strait of Hormuz is facing challenges, could prompt countries to move away from fossil fuels.

Germany, where renewable energy now accounts for about 60% of supply, has been working to phase out coal by 2038.

However, recent disruptions linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have led to some coal-fired plants being brought back into operation temporarily.

Officials said that the COP31 meeting will focus on building consensus and driving practical action, with dialogue among nations playing a central role.

A youth climate champion has also been appointed as part of efforts to broaden engagement in the process.

The PDMA said the deaths, reported since March 20, include five men and eleven children, mostly due to collapsing roofs and walls amid heavy rainfall and flooding.

The injured include one man, four women and eleven children.

According to the report, Zhob recorded the highest number of deaths with six, followed by three in Loralai, two in Kech, and one each in Qila Abdullah, Daki, Kohlu, Jafarabad and Kachhi.

The report added that 161 houses were affected across the province, with 34 destroyed and 127 partially damaged.

At least 65 livestock, mainly sheep, also died due to the rains, while authorities said a detailed assessment of losses is still underway.

Rains have been continuing intermittently in the province for the past 11 days, causing widespread destruction in areas including Abbottabad, Bannu, North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, Havelian, Nowshera, Jamrud and Bara.

According to reports, 25 houses were destroyed while 115 houses were partially damaged due to the ongoing rains.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has expressed concerns over the possible eruption of upper glacial lakes and has issued an alert to the administrations of five districts.

Other notable rainfall included 26 mm in Sibi, 21 mm in Lasbela, 14 mm in Barkhan, 10 mm in Quetta, 7 mm in Dalbandin, and 6 mm each in Khuzdar and Zhob. Turbat received 3 mm, and Mara received 1 mm.

Snowfall was reported on mountain peaks in cold regions, including Ziarat and Quetta, leading to a drop in temperatures.

The rains and snowfall have made the weather colder, particularly in northern districts.

The Meteorological Department forecasts that this series of rains will continue for the next one to two days.

Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds and isolated thundershowers is expected in Zhob, Musikhel, Sherani, Sibi, Kohlu, Barkhan, Dera Bugti, Jhal Magsi, Nasirabad, Harnai, Loralai, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noshki, Mastung, Kalat, Panjgur, Turbat, Kech, Awaran, Gwadar, Pasni, Ormara, Lasbela, Khuzdar, Kharan, Chagai, Dalbandin, and surrounding areas.

Heavy rain and hailstorms are expected in the northeastern districts of the province.

Strong westerly wind systems are causing a flood situation in several districts, including Bannu, Tank, Lakki Marwat, and Dera Ismail Khan.

Other districts, including North and South Waziristan, Kurram, Karak, Orakzai, and Kohat, have also been affected by heavy rain.

The Met Office warned of urban flooding in low-lying areas of Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, and Charsadda.

Rivers and canals in Mansehra, Abbottabad, Swat, Dir, and Chitral may also overflow, it stated.

District administrations have been alerted, and citizens are instructed to take precautionary measures to ensure safety.