The aggressive heatwave continues to swelter Pakistan as in many areas of Sindh the mercury level is expected to touch 50 degrees Celcius today (Saturday), reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to the Metrological office report, the heatwave will continue to scorch country till May 17. Apart from Sindh, many districts in Punjab too will be experiencing intense heat today with temperature as high as 48 degrees Celsius. 

The Sind districts including Nawabshah, Larkana and Sibbi, the temperature is likely to hit 50ºC today. However, Karachi’s mercury level is expected to reach 40ºC.

Many areas in South Punjab will be in the grip of extreme heat. 

According to Met office report, the temperature in Multan will rise to 48ºC during the day. However, the minimum temperature of the city was recorded at 28ºC. The humidity level has remained 50%. 

In Dera Ghazi Khan, the mercury level is expected to touch 48ºC and humidity has been recorded at 18%. There are no chances of rain today.

In Faisalabad, the maximum temperature will remain at 47ºC and Lahore will sizzle at 46ºC today. 

The weather report forecast dry and hot weather across the country.

However, in Islamabad, windstorm and light rain is expected in the evening or night. 

Dust storms are also expected in Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layya, DG Khan and Multan later in the day.

Swathes of Pakistan have been smothered by high temperatures since late April, in extreme weather the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned is consistent with climate change.

"This year we have jumped from winter right into summer," said Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) chief forecaster Zaheer Ahmad Babar.

Pakistan has endured heightened heatwaves since 2015, he said, focused in upper Sindh province and southern Punjab province.

"The intensity is increasing, and the duration is increasing, and the frequency is increasing," Babar said.

Nationwide the PMD alerted temperatures were between 6C and 9C above normal, with the capital Islamabad, as well as provincial hubs Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar. 

Punjab irrigation spokesman Adnan Hassan said the Indus river -- Pakistan's key waterway -- had shrunk by 65 per cent "due to a lack of rains and snow" this year.

Sheep have reportedly died from heatstroke and dehydration in the Cholistan Desert of Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province which also serves as the national breadbasket.

"There is a real danger of a shortfall in food and crop supply this year in the country should the water shortage persist," Hassan said.

 

Reporters Adia Naz, Rozina Ali, Majid Kalasra, Ashir Ashfaq and Hashir Warraich