Most parts of Pakistan, especially over Punjab and Sindh, are likely to swelter next week because of the high pressure in the upper atmosphere, the Met Office has said as the country braces for heatwave conditions.

The scorching hot weather would hit the country on May 21 and is “likely to convert to severe heatwave conditions from May 23 to May 27,” according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department advisory on Thursday.

Summers in Pakistan generally start in April and last until September, but May and June are the hottest the hottest months.

“Day temperatures are likely to remain 04 to 06°C above normal in Sindh and Punjab from Tuesday to Thursday and from 06 to 08°C from Thursday to Monday,” it said and added that day temperatures are likely to remain 04 to 06°C above normal in Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan from May 21 to 27.

Under the influence of a shallow westerly wave in upper parts of the country, thunderstorm with isolated rain was expected in many parts of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, Punjab, and Sindh on Friday and Saturday.

The Met Office advised farmers to manage the crops accordingly and added that the general public should avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight.

“Judicious use of water is requested from all aspects of life. Extreme dry/heatwave conditions may trigger bush fires/forest fires in the vulnerable areas of Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Northeast Balochistan.”

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