The extremely hot and dry weather would continue in many parts of Pakistan till next week, the Met Office said on Thursday as the government urges people to keep themselves hydrated.

“During May 21-23, temperatures in Sindh and Punjab provinces are expected to be 4-6°C above normal, reaching 40-42°C,” the Pakistan Meteorological Department said. “From May 23-27, temperatures are forecast to further rise, reaching 42-44°C, well above average.”

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

Authorities have been taking pre-emptive measures after a severe heatwave in Karachi in 2015 which killed over 1,200 deaths, leaving another 50,000 sick.

Moreover, parts of Pakistan witnessed some of the highest temperatures of over 50°C from March to May 2022. The authorities reported 65 fatalities, though the toll may be higher.

According to the PMD’s forecast, Islamabad is also predicted to experience temperatures 5-7°C hotter than usual.

The heatwave is expected to grip most of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Balochistan from May 21-27, with temperatures above normal. Several districts, including Larkana, Jacobabad, Dadu, and others, are anticipated to be at the epicentre of this intense heatwave.

“The heatwave is likely to have severe impacts on urban areas as well,” it said and meteorologists warned that such prolonged and intense heatwave poses serious risks to public health and safety.

The PMF advised authorities to take immediate measures to protect vulnerable populations and ensure adequate water and electricity supplies.

According to the PMD, the weather conditions and the high pressure in the upper atmosphere were the main reason for the heatwave in Pakistan.

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It added that climate change was also contributing to the intensity of the hot weather. The Met Office also blamed the green house gases, human activities, expansion of cities, and limited green space in megacities.

The PMD called for alleviating the changes in the climate, strategy for cities, and resilient structures.

It warned that the heatwave can have a severe impact on children, senior citizens, women, and ill patients.