The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has released important guidelines for relevant institutions. The authority has warned that temperatures could rise by 4 to 7 degrees this month, leading to severe heat risks, particularly in major cities, plain areas, and the districts of southern Punjab.

The Director General (DG) of PDMA has advised district administrations throughout Punjab to remain vigilant and prepared to handle emergencies related to the impending heatwave. In line with instructions from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, safety measures are being put in place to alleviate the effects of extreme heat.

Deputy Commissioners have been tasked with ensuring that heatwave protection facilities are available at public locations and to inform citizens about the risks associated with the heatwave through helpline numbers, announcements in mosques, and social media channels.

PDMA Punjab has directed the School Education Department to prohibit outdoor activities for children and to install awareness banners in schools regarding heatwave safety.

Farmers are also to be informed about the potential impact of the heatwave on crops, while the Local Government Department is responsible for providing water at public gathering spots and raising heatwave awareness through signage at bus terminals and railway stations. Clean water access at livestock markets is also a priority.

The Livestock Department has been instructed to ensure that veterinary care centers remain operational 24/7, while the Health Department has been asked to establish heatwave assistance counters in hospitals.

PDMA has recommended that medicines be readily available for the initial treatment of heatwave-affected individuals, alongside the establishment of mobile health units and permanent medical camps at public venues. Citizens are urged to avoid unnecessary travel during the heatwave, protect themselves from direct sunlight, and stay hydrated.

Special emphasis has been placed on caring for children, the elderly, and individuals with health conditions, particularly those with heart issues, who are advised to stay indoors during peak heat. Citizens are encouraged to wear light-colored clothing as a preventive measure to help mitigate the adverse effects of the heatwave.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a weather forecast indicating hot and dry conditions prevailing across various regions. In Islamabad and its surroundings, dry weather is expected, with daytime temperatures remaining high.

Residents can anticipate partly cloudy skies accompanied by rain, wind, and the possibility of thunderstorms, including some hailstorms, during the evening and night.

Most districts in the province will experience dry weather, particularly in southern areas. There is a chance of isolated rain and thunderstorms in Zhob, Musa Khel, Barkhan, Qila Saifullah, Kalat, and Khuzdar during the evening hours.

In Balochistan, the outlook suggests mainly hot and dry conditions, although thunderstorms with occasional hailstorms are predicted in Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Tala Gang, Mianwali, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, and Faisalabad during the evening and night.

Partly cloudy weather with thunderstorms is expected in Murree and the Galliyat region.

Sindh will also face very hot and dry weather across most districts, with daytime temperatures projected to be 4 to 7 degrees Celsius above normal.

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Weather forecast: Dry, hot weather expected across Pakistan plains

Forecast calls for hot, dry weather in various areas

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will likely remain dry during the day, with isolated thunderstorms and hailstorms anticipated in regions such as Chitral, Dir, Swat, and others later in the evening.

In Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir, partly cloudy conditions with chances of rain, wind, or thunderstorms may occur at isolated locations.